A Library-based Prevention Intervention for Adolescents Affected by Parental Drug Use
Condition: Substance Use; Sexual Behavior; Adolescent Behavior
MeSH terms: Substance-Related Disorders
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This study's goal is to partner with public libraries to prevent substance use and sexual
      risk-taking among urban African American adolescents (ages 13-16) affected by parental drug
      use. An existing universal evidence-based intervention (Focus on Youth with Informed Parents
      and Children Together, abbreviated as FOY+ImPACT) will be adapted for adolescents affected by
      parental drug use and delivered in libraries. FOY+ImPACT is a skill-building intervention
      aimed at preventing substance use and sexual risk-taking among high-risk African American
      youth. The investigative team will conduct a pilot study to assess the feasibility and
      initial efficacy of a library-based prevention intervention for adolescents affected by drug
      use. Participants will be Black adolescents (13-16 years old) affected by parental drug use
      (N=120). Adolescents will be randomized by partner organization to receive the intervention
      virtually. Pre, Post and 3-month follow-up data will be collected using computerized surveys.
      Primary outcomes will be substance use (i.e., marijuana and alcohol use, two of the most
      common drugs for this age group) and sexual risk behaviors (i.e., initiation of sex and
      frequency of unprotected sex).
    

Detailed description: 
      With nearly 17,000 public libraries nationwide and four million visits each day, libraries
      have extensive population reach. Libraries are an ideal partner because they are stable,
      safe, accessible, confidential community spaces with a low barrier to entry and
      non-judgmental staff. This study's goal is to partner with public libraries to prevent
      substance use and sexual risk-taking among urban African American adolescents (ages 13-16)
      affected by parental drug use. An existing universal evidence-based intervention (Focus on
      Youth with Informed Parents and Children Together, abbreviated as FOY+ImPACT) will be adapted
      for adolescents affected by parental drug use and delivered in libraries. FOY+ImPACT is a
      skill-building intervention aimed at preventing substance use and sexual risk-taking among
      high-risk African American youth.

      For this study, a 'parent with a history of drug use' is defined as a biological parent who
      abused an illicit drug for longer than 1 month in the past 2 years. This group includes
      parents in recent recovery and those enrolled in substance abuse treatment programs. Many
      youth affected by parental drug use live with someone who does not use drugs, extended family
      members, or are in the care of social services. Thus, primary caregivers will be eligible to
      participate in the absence of a biological parent. A 'primary caregiver', is defined as a
      person who regularly provides care for a child that is not their birth child.

      The investigative team will conduct a pilot study to assess the feasibility and initial
      efficacy of a library-based prevention intervention for adolescents affected by drug use.
      Participants will be Black adolescents (13-16 years old) affected by parental drug use
      (N=120). Adolescents will be randomized by partner organization to receive the intervention
      virtually. Pre, Post and 3-month follow-up data will be collected using computerized surveys.
      Primary outcomes will be substance use (i.e., marijuana and alcohol use, two of the most
      common drugs for this age group) and sexual risk behaviors (i.e., initiation of sex and
      frequency of unprotected sex).
    

Intervention name(s): Adapted FOY+ImPACT
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): The Adapted FOY+IMPACT is a selective, group-level intervention designed to prevent sexual risk-taking and substance use among adolescents affected by parental drug use. There are eight sessions for youth (FOY) and one session with youth and adults (ImPACT).
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Prevention
Keywords: substance use prevention; adolescent health; selective intervention; community-based research; parental drug use