Objective: This pilot micro-randomized trial (MRT) evaluated the feasibility of the MRT design and compared the acceptability and preliminary impacts of drinking-focused and maternal-focused text messages to inform the development of a tailored, just-in-time adaptive text messaging intervention for postpartum at-risk alcohol use. Method: Postpartum mothers (N = 65) participated in a 28-day MRT. Participants completed ecological momentary assessment (EMA) surveys upon waking (morning survey) at two random times daily (hourly surveys), with an optional night survey (night survey). After each hourly and night survey, participants were randomized to receive either a maternal-focused message, a drinking-focused message, or no message. Check-in surveys assessed intermediate (motivation, maternal self-efficacy, drinking self-efficacy, self-regulation, and craving) and primary (alcohol use) outcomes 15 minutes later. Results: Compliance rates for all survey types exceeded 70%, except for optional night surveys. Participants reported a low burden associated with the MRT. Participants were more likely to rate maternal-focused messages as helpful and evoking positive feelings compared with drinking-focused messages. A significant effect of receiving an intervention message (vs. no message) was found for drinking self-efficacy (DSE), with those who received a message reporting higher DSE than those who received no message, and no difference between message types. Significant time-by-condition interactions revealed that the effect of maternal messages decreased over time, whereas DSE increased over time for the control condition. Conclusions: Findings support the feasibility and acceptability of the MRT design in postpartum mothers with at-risk drinking histories and inform the development of a tailored text messaging intervention for this population. Public health significance statement: Alcohol use during the early postpartum period is an important public health problem that can interfere with a mother’s ability to care for her baby and is associated with increased risk for child abuse and neglect and poor long-term child health and developmental outcomes. Postpartum mothers are often not connected to formal service systems and often do not receive needed help for alcohol use because of the stigma associated with substance use in mothers and fears of child protective services involvement if they disclose alcohol use to a professional. Digital interventions delivered via text messaging have the potential to provide confidential and convenient support to postpartum mothers to reduce risks associated with alcohol use.

Mounting evidence has linked alcohol to higher risks of cancer but many people aren't aware. New findings suggest labels that make the link clear may motivate people to cut back on drinking.

OPINION: With recent court victories against Meta and YouTube in New Mexico and California, internal documents are being released, creating the need for a publicly accessible database.

A survey of high school students in Saudi Arabia found that social media and gaming are associated with higher levels of mental distress.

Aims The United States Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) proposed rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act marks a significant shift in fede...

The School has held the #1 spot since the rankings began in 1994. The School has also been named by peers as a leader in five specialty areas within public health this year.

Analysis of nearly 700,000 health records reveals age-related association between cannabis use disorder and subsequent psychiatric disorders diagnoses.

For many people, the holidays mean more parties and more occasions to drink. But if you've noticed that one cocktail hits you harder than it used to, there's a scientific reason to explain it.

What is digital life doing to young minds?

Objective:Cannabis use is strongly linked with heavy drinking and worse alcohol treatment outcomes; however, it may also contribute to decreased alcohol consumption. To date, no human studies have est...

Objective: This pilot micro-randomized trial (MRT) evaluated feasibility of the MRT design and compared acceptability and preliminary impacts of drinking-focused and maternal-focused text messages to ...

A platform of data collection and dissemination focused on the health outcomes of therapeutic cannabis use at the patient level.

Background To improve the efficacy of digital smoking cessation interventions for young adults, intervention messages need to be acceptable and appropriate for this population. The current study compa...

Less than half of Americans know that they’re increasing their cancer risk by drinking alcohol. Updated warning labels could help raise awareness.

About this episode: Zyn nicotine pouches are suddenly everywhere. What are they and how can they impact health? In this episode: A look at the popular products, what they are and how they work, how th...

A study in JAMA says young women, age 18 to 25, are binge drinking slightly more than men the same age. The good news: Drinking is down for both young men and women compared to earlier generations.

Labels highlighting the risk of cancer can shift behavior

Labels highlighting the risk of cancer can shift behavior

Background: Increasing digital technology and media use among young people has raised concerns about problematic use and negative consequences. The formal recognition of a technology addiction (eg, ga...

From anti-smoking campaigns to advertisements for fruit-flavored vapes, marketing has played a huge role in how Americans interact with smoking products for over a century. This week on Health Wanted,...