Reducing Stigma and Increasing Social Support in Young Adults with Alcohol Use Disorder: An App-Based Smartphone Intervention (MPH Project)

As part of my MPH coursework at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, I took an elective course in Psychiatric Epidemiology. For my final project, I wrote a grant proposal for a digital health intervention targeting young adults (ages 21–30) with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). This app-based intervention is designed to reduce stigma, increase social support, and encourage treatment-seeking behaviors among individuals transitioning from college to post-college life. The project integrates behavioral health theories and leverages smartphone technology to create an accessible, scalable solution.

• Key Features of the Proposal:

  • App Design: Proposed an application platform offering educational content on AUD, peer support chat rooms, goal-setting tools, motivational messaging, and personalized referrals to local treatment resources.

  • Evidence-Based Approach: Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and the Transtheoretical Model (TTM), the intervention tailors support to participants’ readiness for behavior change.

  • Pilot Study: Proposed a randomized controlled trial with 80 participants to evaluate feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness in reducing stigma and improving AUD-related outcomes.

• Proposed Outcomes:

  • Reduction in AUD-related stigma and self-stigma.

  • Increased social support and treatment-seeking behaviors.

  • Measurable improvements in self-efficacy and reductions in alcohol use over 8 months.

This project highlights my ability to design innovative, evidence-based public health interventions using digital platforms, applying data-driven methodologies, and addressing critical health disparities in underserved populations.