Summary of the Article: Personalized Digital Interventions for Young Adults & substance Use
This article discusses three recent studies,along with an accompanying editorial,highlighting the potential of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) – frequent,real-time data collection via smartphones and web platforms – to create personalized interventions for young adults at risk for substance use (alcohol and cannabis).
key Findings & Approaches:
* EMA is Flexible: The studies demonstrate that EMA data can be used in various ways to tailor interventions, proving itS a versatile tool, not a rigid one.
* Study 1 (Kennedy et al.): used a mobile app with frequent check-ins to help young adults with ADHD and high-risk alcohol use identify patterns between their ADHD symptoms and drinking habits. Participants received tailored feedback to increase self-awareness and reduce alcohol intake.
* study 2 (Lewis et al.): Developed a web-based intervention with follow-up text messages to understand motivations and barriers to substance use in young adults at risk for alcohol and cannabis use. This allowed for tailored messages promoting ”protective behavioral strategies” to reduce harm.
* Study 3 (Fairlie et al.): Examined alcohol cravings in real-time using EMA, gathering data on cues and situational factors. Participants received personalized feedback based on their data to help them recognise their triggers.
* Personalization is Key: A common theme across all studies was the importance of tailoring interventions to the individual, even with different approaches.
Overall Conclusion:
The research suggests that leveraging daily and real-time data through EMA can lead to more effective and innovative digital interventions for supporting healthier choices and behaviors in young adults at risk for substance use. The authors anticipate further advancements in this field, leading to more novel and creative interventions.
