Recruiting

Web-Based Intervention

Sponsor:

Stanford University

Code:

NCT06501677

Conditions

Alcohol; Use, Problem

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Interventions

WBI

Study Details

Brief summary:

Alcohol misuse is a prevalent and serious problem with significant harms to society, individuals, and their relationships. Romantic partners have a strong influence on their partner's behavior, uniquely positioning them as a motivator and supportive factor in changing their partner's alcohol use, but little evidence exists on the specific ways they can influence their partner. The impact this has on the quality of their relationship, communication, and overall well-being has yet to be explored. Thus, this study utilizes qualitative, quantitative, and ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data from both partners to develop a web-based intervention that applies communication-based personalized feedback to support the concerned partner (CP) in motivating their drinking partner (DP) to reduce drinking and other adverse relationship outcomes.

Conditions

Alcohol; Use, Problem

Study ID

NCT06501677

Start date

Apr 22, 2025

Status verified date

Dec, 2025

Completion date

Aug, 2027

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Aug, 2026

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Concerned Partners:

Inclusion Criteria:

  • be at least 18 years of age
  • be in a romantic relationship
  • live with their partner
  • have a computer, tablet, or phone with internet access
  • have no plans to separate from partner in next 60 days
  • feel safe from partner violence

Exclusion Criteria:

  • report 4/5+ on the AUDIT-C

Drinking Partners:

Inclusion Criteria:

  • be at least 18 years of age
  • report 4/5+ on the AUDIT-C
  • have a computer, tablet, or phone with internet access
  • feel safe from partner violence

Exclusion Criteria:

  • in current treatment for alcohol
  • concern about their CPs drinking

Study Design

Enrollment

275 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Single group

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

no intervention: Identify CP communication behaviors that elicit or inhibit DP drinking using EMA

Couples (N=50 dyads) with one CP and one DP will be recruited from social media. Both partners will independently complete baseline and follow-up surveys. Both the CP and DP will independently complete a 21-day EMA with three daily reports on their communication and DP's drinking (craving, motives, consumption, problems). We will identify specific CP communication behaviors as proximal and long-term predictors of the DP's drinking and non-drinking.

Hyp1: CP punishing drinking (e.g., yelling) will relate to increases in DP drinking.

Hyp2: CP rewarding drinking (e.g., bringing alcohol home) will relate to increases in DP drinking.

Hyp3: CP rewarding sobriety (e.g., planning non-drinking activities) will relate to decreases in DP drinking.

experimental: Develop and evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a WBI providing personalized feedback

We will use the Behavioral Intervention Technology Model framework to iteratively develop a four-session WBI that includes CRAFT principles and education about communication patterns learned in Aim 1. During the WBI, CPs will receive personalized feedback based on their baseline data on how their communication may influence their DP's drinking. We will evaluate the WBI's feasibility and acceptability with 15 CPs to iteratively improve the WBI.

active comparator: Perform a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing WBI to psychoeducation control

Outcomes include DP drinking (primary), CP well-being (e.g., depression, anxiety, social support), and relationship functioning (e.g., relationship distress). Although the WBI will target CPs, we will collect data from both partners (N=80 couples) at baseline and 1-month follow-up to evaluate effects.

Hyp4: DP, CP, and relationship outcomes will show greater improvement in the WBI compared to control.

Interventions

WBI

The WBI will comprise of four sessions focusing on CRAFT principles including: (1) self-care, (2) positive communication including ways to increase responsiveness to the DP (PPR; i.e., actively listening, showing understanding, expressing interest in what their DP is thinking and feeling, and trying to see where the DPs is coming from), (3) understanding the DP's drinking reinforcers, and (4) supporting the DP if they want help and engaging in positive, healthy activities with the DP. ' partner.

Each module will take \~20-30 minutes and each session will: (1) instill optimism in CPs, (2) be solution-focused, (3) emphasize that the CP is not responsible for the DP's behaviors, and (4) use a nonjudgmental, non-confrontational, empathetic style. The WBI intervention is focused on reduced drinking in the DP and improved CP wellness.

Primary outcome measure

  • DP Alcohol Use [ Time Frame: Baseline, Daily (EMA), 1-month-follow-up ]
  • CP Well-Being [ Time Frame: Baseline, 1-month-follow-up ]
  • CP-DP Relationship Quality [ Time Frame: Baseline, Daily (EMA), 1-month-follow-up ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Katherine Nameth, BS

6505429699knameth@stanford.edu

Karen Osilla, PhD

kosilla@stanford.edu

Locations

Portland State University

Recruiting

Portland, Oregon, United States, 97207

Contacts

Dr. Cynthia Mohr, PhD

(503) 725-3981cynthia.mohr@pdx.edu

Principal Investigator:

Dr. Cynthia Mohr, PhD

More Information

Sponsor

Stanford University

Last update posted

Apr 27, 2026

Last verified

Dec, 2025

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by Stanford University on 2026-04-27.