Dr Robert Tait

Centre for Mental Health Research,
Australian National University
Mental Health Pilot Study - 2010

I completed my PhD in 2003 at the University of Western Australia. My research has encompassed mental health and substance use co-morbidity and a range of licit and illicit drug use in diverse populations, from adolescents to older adults. The methodologies have included randomised controlled trials, novel interventions and epidemiological research. One of my most significant contribution has been in the use of administrative data to evaluate health outcomes in groups that are hard to retain in treatment and therefore make it difficult to evaluate the true effectiveness of interventions.
 
In relation to problem alcohol consumption, I have a number of publications on the outcomes of a brief intervention program in those with alcohol and (other) co-morbid mental health conditions. I was also part of a research team investigating the use of brief interventions delivered via general practitioners to older adults to reduce problem alcohol consumption.
 
My standing in the field has been recognised with requests to review manuscripts from a number of relevant journals including The Lancet and Addiction andI was an invited speaker at the 2007 World Forum For Mental Health. I am a member of the editorial board of a new journal: Substance Abuse: Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, have acted as a reviewer for international grant applications and I am currently a member of the Australian Institute of Sport human research ethics committee.

SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
Development of materials for a web-based intervention targeting adolescent alcohol use

The use of alcohol, especially 'binge' drinking, by adolescents can have major health and other consequences. Web-based interventions have been successfully used to treat adolescent mental health problems and alcohol use by young adults. This study will develop materials for a web-based intervention specifically designed for and targeting alcohol use by adolescents. The major advantages of this approach are that it can reach most adolescents in Australia and is well-accepted for delivering health messages.
 
Specifically, the study aims to:
 
1)     Identify existing proven ‘in-person’ interventions targeting problematic alcohol use by
        adolescents,
2)     Adapt these materials for web-presentation,
3)     Develop appropriate ‘feedback’ material for adolescent users of alcohol. (Feedback
        materials will cover both normative information and individually tailored information.)
4)     Conduct a qualitative evaluation using both in-person and on-line focus groups to 
        ensure that the materials are appropriate for the target group.
 
This development work will support a subsequent large scale randomized control trial of a web-application designed to reduce problematic alcohol use by adolescents.