Adoption and Perceptions of the College Alcohol Intervention Matrix (CollegeAIM) Among Professionals in a Higher Education Statewide Prevention Coalition.

Alcohol prevention research for college students has resulted in numerous efficacious approaches, but the timeline from development to implementation is long. The College Alcohol Intervention Matrix (CollegeAIM) is a dissemination and implementation tool developed in 2015 and updated in 2019 to aid in the selection of evidence-based alcohol prevention strategies for higher education settings. The present study is the first to examine the use and perceptions of the CollegeAIM tool. Student affairs professionals (N=142) across 23 campuses in a statewide prevention coalition participated in a survey examining CollegeAIM with a focus on implementation outcomes and areas for actionable change. Campuses also provided their prevention strategic plans. Survey data were analyzed via calculation of descriptive statistics. Strategic plans were analyzed via content analysis techniques. Approximately one-third (38%) of participants had heard of the CollegeAIM, but many reported the tool felt unfamiliar and were largely unaware if their departments used the tool to select strategies (16% reported personal use). Over half considered CollegeAIM to be feasible, appropriate, and acceptable for selecting strategies, and CollegeAIM was largely considered to be comprehensive, helpful, and user-friendly. Content analysis of strategic plans revealed that independent of CollegeAIM use, many strategies listed in CollegeAIM were planned for implementation, including many supported by weak evidence. Within one statewide prevention coalition, the CollegeAIM is well-received though is not as widely used by higher education professionals as it could be and has potential for increased uptake with additional dissemination efforts. Recommendations for CollegeAIM use and training are provided.