Real time monitoring of engagement with a text message intervention to reduce binge drinking among men living in socially disadvantaged areas of Scotland

Irvine, L., Melson, A. J. , Williams, B., Sniehotta, F. F., McKenzie, A., Jones, C. and Crombie, I. K. (2017) Real time monitoring of engagement with a text message intervention to reduce binge drinking among men living in socially disadvantaged areas of Scotland. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 24(5), pp. 713-721. (doi: 10.1007/s12529-017-9666-z)

Abstract

Purpose: This study identified the extent and nature of engagement with a theoretically based behaviour change text message intervention intended to reduce binge drinking. The data were from a randomised controlled trial tackling binge drinking among socially disadvantaged men. Method: An intervention, comprising 112 text messages, and based on the principles of the Health Action Process Approach, was delivered to 411 socially disadvantaged men. Participants sent almost 7500 responses to the text messages. Engagement was assessed by whether text message replies showed the intended response to key components of the behaviour change strategy. Results: The median number of responses to the text messages was 17 per man (range 0–81). Men often gave detailed sensitive personal information about their drinking and the harms it caused them. They also described their attempts at drinking less, the setbacks encountered and the benefits they enjoy when they are successful at cutting down. Specific examples of engagement with the targeted messages include the following: of the 248 men who responded to the prompt on outcome expectancies, most (230) identified potential benefits of cutting down; for intention to reduce drinking, 260 men responded of whom 44% said they had thought about changing; of the 172 men who responded to the question on goal setting, 158 reported personal goals. Conclusions: The responses showed that most men engaged as intended with the key components of the intervention. Text message interventions should include questions addressing key components of the behaviour change strategy to determine whether there is effective engagement with intervention components.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Public Health Research (NIHR PHR) programme (project number 11/3050/30).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Melson, Dr Ambrose
• Authors: Irvine, L., Melson, A. J., Williams, B., Sniehotta, F. F., McKenzie, A., Jones, C., and Crombie, I. K.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Journal Name: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 1070-5503
• ISSN (Online): 1532-7558
• Published Online: 12 July 2017
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 The Authors
• First Published: First published in International Journal of Behavioral Medicine 24(5): 713-721
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license