Social Media Psychosocial Support Group in Reducing Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol use

Alcohol use is measured by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scale. It is a standardized, 10-item self-report screening instrument developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to identify hazardous alcohol consumption, harmful drinking behaviors, and alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Respondents rate each item on a 5-point Likert scale (0 = never to 4 = daily or almost daily), with total scores ranging from 0 to 40. The higher the score, the greater the risk of individual alcohol abuse and dependence. Established cutoff values guide interpretation: Scores 0-7: Generally indicates low-risk or abstinence. Scores 8-14: Suggests hazardous or harmful alcohol use. Scores 15-19: Indicates a high level of harmful alcohol use. Simple advice and periodic review are advised. Scores 20-40: Suggests a likely alcohol dependence syndrome and the need for further diagnostic evaluation and specialist treatment consideration.

Anxiety

The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) is a 7-item self-reporting scale that evaluates the frequency and severity of anxious thoughts and behaviors during the last 2 weeks. Items are based on the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV) criteria and scored from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day). Total scores range from 0 to 21, with established cutoff values for interpreting severity: 0-4 (minimal anxiety), 5-9 (mild anxiety), 10-14 (moderate anxiety), and 15-21 (severe anxiety).

Depressive symptoms

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a self-reporting questionnaire comprising 9 items that evaluate the frequency and severity of depressive symptoms during the last 2 weeks (e.g., "Little interest or pleasure in doing things", "Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless"). Responses are scored on a 4-point Likert scale (0 = not at all to 3 = nearly every day), with total scores ranging from 0 to 27. Scores are typically interpreted as follows: 0-4 (minimal symptoms), 5-9 (mild depression), 10-14 (moderate depression), 15-19 (moderately severe depression), and 20-27 (severe depression).

Stress

This project measured the participants' stress level by using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). This is a ten-item scale that measures how often stressful events occurred the last month using a 5-point Likert scale from 'Never' to 'Very Often'(0 = never to 4 = very often). Total scores range from 0 to 40, where higher scores indicate higher levels of perceived stress. An example of an item was: "How often have you been able to control irritations in your life?"

Perceived family well-being

Perceived family well-being will be measured by the Family Apgar Scale. The scale comprises 5 core items that measure key dimensions of family well-being: adaptability (ability to cope with crises), partnership (shared decision-making and mutual support), growth (encouragement of individual development), affection (expression of warmth and care), and resolve (ability to solve conflicts effectively). Respondents rate each item on a 3-point Likert scale (0 = hardly ever to 2 = almost always), yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 10. Scores are interpreted as follows: 7-10 indicates healthy family functioning, 4-6 suggests moderate family dysfunction, and 0-3 signifies severe family dysfunction.