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Alcohol Use, UnspecifiedNCT06191861

Narrative Writing to Promote Healthy Decisions About Alcohol During the Transition Out of High School

A study testing Most hoped for future self, Most feared future self and Balanced future self in people with Alcohol Use, Unspecified, run by University of Washington at 1 site in United States.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of the proposed research is to evaluate (1) whether a future possible self task (FPST) can lead to changes drinking identity (DI; how much one associates one's self with drinking) and (2) whether the FPST and changes in drinking identity also change indicators of alcohol misuse . Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 17 to 19 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Alcohol Use, Unspecified
What is being tested?
Most hoped for future self, Most feared future self and Balanced future self
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
468 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
29 Mar 2024to 30 Nov 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 17 to 19 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Child, Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Senior in high school and expecting to graduate at the end of the academic year or individuals who recently (i.e., within the past three months) graduated high school or earned a GED
  • Between the ages of 17-19
  • Currently reside in WA State (UW Site) or State of Texas (UH Site)
  • Fluent in English
  • Willing to attend three weekly virtual laboratory sessions (hosted on Zoom)
  • Willing to provide contact information, including phone number (for text messages and reminders), email (reminders), and mailing address (payment)
  • Has consumed alcohol at least 1 time in last year
  • Reports at least some interest in NOT increasing one's drinking or at least some interest in reducing drinking

Who cannot join

  • N/A

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • University of Houston

    Houston, Texas, 77204

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Evaluating Narrative Writing as a Potential Intervention to Promote Healthy Decisions About Alcohol During the Transition Out of High School

The purpose of the proposed research is to evaluate (1) whether a future possible self task (FPST) can lead to changes drinking identity (DI; how much one associates one's self with drinking) and (2) whether the FPST and changes in drinking identity also change indicators of alcohol misuse . This study focuses on individuals who are graduating from highly school, which is a time of transition and identity change. If such changes can be demonstrated, DI may be a mechanism for alcohol misuse and the FPST may be an additional, novel intervention strategy to reduce alcohol misuse during the post-high school transition.

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the future possible self task (FPST) in individuals who are about to graduate from high school.

Read more

The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • Can the FPST change drinking identity (a risk factor for alcohol misuse)?
  • Can the FPST reduce risks for alcohol misuse?

Participants will complete the FPST, a task that involves writing for 20 minutes, and will answer a series of questionnaires and computer-based word categorization tasks. Participants will be followed for a year after completing the FPST.

Researchers will compare different versions of the FPST and different doses (one writing sessions vs. 3 writing sessions) to see which are more effective for changing drinking identity and reducing risks for alcohol misuse.

Read the detailed description

This study will evaluate changes in drinking identity and changes in drinking during the transition out of high school in a sample of 528 soon-to-graduate or recently graduated high school seniors via the future possible self task (FPST). We will test whether an adapted version of the FPST can induce change in drinking identity and reduce risk of alcohol misuse. The study will have a 2 (write about future desired self in relation to drinking vs. no), x 2 (write about future feared self in relation to drinking vs. no) x 2 (write 1x only vs.1x per week for 3 weeks) design. Participants will be randomly assigned to a condition. The study will occur entirely online, with virtual baseline and intervention sessions hosted by a research assistant and with online surveys for the 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Participants, who report at least some alcohol consumption and some interest interest in changing or not increasing their drinking, will be recruited, in equal numbers, from two sites -- one at the University of Washington and one at the University of Houston. Participants will be recruited in two waves (264 each wave, with 132 from each site during each wave).

The study will test for changes in drinking identity (primary), in indicators of alcohol misuse (primary \& secondary), and in associated risk factors (secondary; changes in self-efficacy, identification with future self, and craving at baseline, 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups

Being tested
Most hoped for future self, Most feared future self, Control (trip to zoo), Balanced future self
Keywords
drinking identity, developmental transitions, high school, alcohol misuse
Medical subject headings
Alcohol Drinking

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Most hoped for future selfBehavioural

    Participants in this condition complete a version of the future possible self task in which they think and write about their most hoped for future self for 20 minutes.

  • Most feared future selfBehavioural

    Participants in this condition complete a version of the future possible self task in which they think and write about their most feared future self for 20 minutes.

  • Control (trip to zoo)Behavioural

    Participants in this condition think and write about a future trip to the zoo

  • Balanced future selfBehavioural

    Participants in this condition complete a version of the future possible self task in which they think and write about their most hoped for and feared future self for 20 minutes.

Study groups in NCT06191861
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Most hoped for future self, 3 doseExperimentalParticipants complete a writing task in which they think and write about their most hoped for future self, weekly for 3 weeks (i.e., at each session).
Receives: Behavioral: Most hoped for future self
Most hoped future self, 1 doseExperimentalParticipants complete a writing task in which they think and write about their most hoped for future self one time (on the third session).
Receives: Behavioral: Most hoped for future self
Most feared future self, 3 doseExperimentalParticipants complete a writing task in which they think and write about their most feared future self, weekly for 3 weeks (i.e., at each session).
Receives: Behavioral: Most feared future self
Most feared future self, 1 doseExperimentalParticipants complete a writing task in which they think and write about their most feared future self one time (on the third session).
Receives: Behavioral: Most feared future self
Balanced self (hoped and feared self), 3 doseExperimentalParticipants complete a writing task in which they think and write about their most hoped for and feared future self, weekly for 3 weeks (i.e., at each session).
Receives: Behavioral: Balanced future self
Balanced self (hoped and feared self), 1 doseExperimentalParticipants complete a writing task in which they think and write about their most hoped for and feared future self one time (on the third session).
Receives: Behavioral: Balanced future self
Control, 3 dosePlacebo comparatorParticipants in this condition complete a task in which they think and write about a trip to the zoo weekly for 3 weeks (i.e., at each session).
Receives: Behavioral: Control (trip to zoo)
Control, 1 dosePlacebo comparatorParticipants in this condition complete a task in which they think and write about a trip to the zoo one time (on the third session).
Receives: Behavioral: Control (trip to zoo)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Explicit drinking identity

    This is will be evaluated by the Alcohol Self-Concept Scale. A mean score will be calculated. Scores range from -3 to +3. Higher scores indicate stronger alcohol self-concept

    Measured: Will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention, 1-month follow up, 3-month follow up, 6 month-follow up, & 12-month follow up

  2. Implicit drinking identity

    This is will be evaluated by the Drinking Identity Implicit Association Test (IAT). A summary score, called a D score, which is similar to a Cohen's d effect size, will be calculated. Scores range from -2 to +2; higher scores indicate stronger implicit drinking identity.

    Measured: Will be assessed at baseline,post-intervention, 1-month follow up, 3-month follow up, 6 month-follow up, & 12-month follow up

  3. Drinks per week

    This is will be evaluated by the Daily Drinking Questionnaire (DDQ). It assesses drinks consumed each day of the week during a typical week during the last month. A sum of drinks over the course of the week will be calculated.

    Measured: Will be assessed at baseline, 1-month follow up, 3-month follow up, 6 month-follow up, & 12-month follow up

  4. Peak drinks per month

    This is will be evaluated by the Quantity/Frequency Measure (Q/F). It includes an assessment of the number of drinks consumed when one drank the most during the last month.

    Measured: Will be assessed at baseline, 1-month follow up, 3-month follow up, 6 month-follow up, & 12-month follow up

  5. Typical drinks per occasion

    This is will be evaluated by the Quantity/Frequency Measure (Q/F). It includes an assessment of the number of drinks consumed on a typical drinking occasion during the last month.

    Measured: Will be assessed at baseline, 1-month follow up, 3-month follow up, 6 month-follow up, & 12-month follow up

  6. Alcohol-related problems

    This is will be evaluated by the Brief Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire.

    It assesses the consequences of drinking (happened yes or no) that occurred during the last month. A sum will be calculated. Higher scores indicate more experiencing more negative consequences from drinking. Scores range from 0 to 24

    Measured: Will be assessed at baseline, 1-month follow up, 3-month follow up, 6 month-follow up, & 12-month follow up

Secondary outcomes (9)
  1. Risk of Alcohol Use Disorder

    This will be evaluated by the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test. A total score will be calculated. Scores range from 0 to 40.Higher scores indicate higher risk of having an alcohol use disorder

    Measured: Will be assessed at baseline and at 12-month follow-up

  2. Alcohol Craving - Momentary

    This will be evaluated by the Alcohol Urge Questionnaire. A mean score will be calculated. Scores range from 1 to 7; higher scores indicate stronger urges to drink right now.

    Measured: Will be assessed at baseline and 2 weeks after baseline

  3. Alcohol Craving - Retrospective

    This will be evaluated by the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS). The PACS evaluate alcohol craving over the last week. A total score will be calculated.Scores range from 0 to 30. Higher scores indicate stronger craving.

    Measured: Will be assessed at baseline, 1-month follow up, 3-month follow up, 6 month-follow up, & 12-month follow up

  4. Alcohol Expectancies

    The Brief Comprehensive Effects of the Outcomes of Alcohol Questionnaire [BCEOA] will assess alcohol expectancies. Mean scores for the BCEOA subscales will be created. Scores range from 1 to 4. Higher scores indicate stronger expectancies about alcohol's effects.

    Measured: Will be assessed at baseline, 1-month follow up, 3-month follow up, 6 month-follow up, & 12-month follow up

  5. Drinking Motives

    The drinking motives questionnaire will assess common motives for drinking. Mean scores for the subscales will be created. Scores range from 1 to 5. Higher scores indicate stronger motives for drinking.

    Measured: Will be assessed at baseline, 1-month follow up, 3-month follow up, 6 month-follow up, & 12-month follow up

  6. Social Norms

    The Drinking Norms Rating Form will assess descriptive norms for drinking. Total drinks per week that a typical same age/same gender person drinks per week will be calculated.

    Measured: Will be assessed at baseline, 1-month follow up, 3-month follow up, 6 month-follow up, & 12-month follow up

  7. Identification with Future Self

    A future self continuity measure (single item) will assess the degree to which one's current and future selves are similar. Scores ranges from 1 to 7; higher scores indicate greater concordance between one's current and future selves.

    Measured: Will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention, 1-month follow up, 3-month follow up, 6 month-follow up, & 12-month follow up

  8. Readiness to Change

    A single item readiness to change ruler will assess readiness to reduce one's drinking. Scores range from 0 to 6; higher scores indicate greater readiness to reduce one's drinking.

    Measured: Will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention, 1-month follow up, 3-month follow up, 6 month-follow up, & 12-month follow up

  9. Drinking Refusal Self-efficacy

    Ability to resist drinking will be assessed by the Drinking Refusal Self-efficacy Questionnaire. A mean score will be calculated. Scores range from 0 to 6. Higher scores indicate greater self-efficacy to resist drinking.

    Measured: Will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention, 1-month follow up, 3-month follow up, 6 month-follow up, & 12-month follow up

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted5 Jan 2024
  2. Study start29 Mar 2024
  3. Primary completion30 Nov 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Nov 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Factorial
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
468 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06191861
Sponsor's protocol ID
STUDY00017212
Other IDs
R01AA030750
Status last verified
Mar 2026
First submitted
8 Dec 2023
Last updated
5 Mar 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • Lindgren KP, Shah V, de Luna F, Hall NA, Weinstein AP, Wu D, Fairlie AM, Lee CM, Calhoun BH, Neighbors C. Protocol of a randomized controlled trial evaluating the impact of an adapted future possible selves task on drinking identity and hazardous drinking in graduating high school students. BMC Public Health. 2025 Dec 3;26(1):94. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-25827-x.

    PubMed 41340101

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Most hoped for future self, Most feared future self and Balanced future self in people with Alcohol Use, Unspecified, run by University of Washington at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Explicit drinking identity (time frame: Will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention, 1-month follow up, 3-month follow up, 6 month-follow up, & 12-month follow up). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06191861, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Mar 2026.

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