A Reinforced Mindfulness-Based Intervention to Reduce Problematic Drinking Among Hispanic Emerging Adults: Feasibility and Acceptability

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a mindfulness program specifically adapted for Hispanic young adults aged 18 to 25 who engage in heavy episodic drinking. This randomized control trial aims to test the feasibility and acceptability of an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program designed to reduce problematic drinking among this population. The study seeks to understand how well this culturally and developmentally tailored intervention works in a real-world setting. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: an intervention group receiving weekly 1.5-hour in-person mindfulness sessions over 8 weeks at Florida International University's MMC campus, or an assessment-only control group. Both groups will complete online surveys and provide fingerprick blood samples to measure alcohol biomarkers, as well as have their heart rate and blood pressure measured at four timepoints: baseline, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months after baseline. The intervention group will also receive Contingency Management incentives to encourage attendance. Throughout the study, participants will spend up to 16 hours over approximately 14 weeks completing assessments, participating in the mindfulness sessions if assigned, and attending follow-up evaluations. Researchers will measure outcomes such as program acceptability, attendance, retention, changes in heavy drinking behavior, alcohol consumption, and perceived stress. Safety and minimal risks like discomfort from assessments or blood sampling will be monitored during the study.

A Reinforced Mindfulness-Based Intervention to Reduce Problematic Drinking Among Hispanic Emerging Adults