Epidemiological data indicate alcohol use peaks during emerging adulthood, including prevalence rates of heavy drinking, alcohol dependence, and alcohol-related problems. However, racial group differences in developmental patterns of alcohol use and related consequences reveal African-American emerging adults mature out of high-risk drinking at slower rates compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Moreover, African-American youth are more likely to experience negative social and health consequences due to heavy drinking. Despite these disparities, few preventative interventions have been developed to target culturally-specific risk and protective factors that are associated with high-risk alcohol use among this vulnerable population of emerging adults.

To address these gaps, this study brought together the developers of an established parent-based intervention (PBI), with proven efficacy among four-year college students, and investigators of the Family and Community Health Study (FACHS), the largest African-American panel study to date.