FRAMES Elements Associated With Alcohol Treatment Research Assessments and Related Behavior Change

Objective: Assessment reactivity research has contrib-uted substantially to our understanding of alcohol treatment research protocols influencing clinical outcomes. The state of the science is such that relatively little is known about how alcohol treatment research par-ticipation influences behavior. The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to determine the distribution of FRAMES elements (i.e., Feedback, personal Responsibility, Advice, a Menu of options, Empathic style of interaction, and support for Self-efficacy) contained in alcohol treatment research assessment interviews; and (b) to examine their association with subsequent alcohol use among a sample of clients presenting for alcohol use disorder treatment. Method: Audiotaped recordings of participant (n = 189) research assessment interviews were converted to digital record- ings and reviewed for FRAMES elements using the FRAMES Checklist Instrument. Results: Feedback, personal responsibility, empathic style of interaction, and support for self-efficacy were the more frequently occur-ring elements across follow-up periods. Alternatively, menu of options and advice occurred infrequently. Feedback and support for self-efficacy predicted subsequent alcohol use, although the association between feedback and alcohol use was unexpectedly positive. Conclusions: As part of the assessment interview process, alcohol treatment research participants receive multiple instances of feedback and support for self-efficacy spe-cific to their alcohol use that are predictive of changes in alcohol use.