The Substance Use and Health Risk Intervention (SUHRI) for Justice-involved Youth
Condition: Substance Use Disorders
MeSH terms: Substance-Related Disorders
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This investigation will adapt and pilot test an integrated health risk-reduction and
      motivational enhancement intervention for Juvenile Justice (JJ) youth that will ultimately be
      (after full testing through a subsequent large-scale RCT) a sustainable intervention
      implemented within a JJ supervision/case management context to teach and facilitate positive,
      pro-social, and expected behaviors. The intervention will use graphical approaches to
      encourage introspection and problem identification, enhance self-regulation, improve
      analytical problem-solving skills, and promote healthy behaviors in two inter-related target
      areas: substance use and risky sex practices. Existing evidence-based intervention materials
      will be incorporated and delivered through a web-based application. Sessions will be
      self-directed (require minimal instruction/interaction assistance), and also include a
      service referral piece whereby youth are provided with a list of treatment and health
      agencies at the end of sessions that address specific topics. Research activities will be
      carried out in two pilot studies: (1) Intervention Adaptation and Feasibility and (2)
      Protocol Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy Trial. In Pilot 1, intervention content will be
      adapted from existing evidence-based interventions so that it is developmentally appropriate
      for the target population and suitable for a web-based format (N = 30; 20 youth, 10 JJ
      staff). Pilot 2 will test a scaled-down version of an intervention efficacy randomized
      control trial (RCT), comparing the web-based intervention to a time-matched, information-only
      group using a 2-arm, randomized design whereby 120 enrolled youth (who meet eligibility
      requirements) from one juvenile probation department are randomly assigned to condition.
    

Detailed description: 
      A 1-arm design was used to examine preliminary efficacy of the adapted intervention. Youth
      aged 14 to 18 who are disposed to community supervision (deferred adjudication or probation)
      and meet eligibility requirements (1+ indicator of substance use, under community
      supervisions, English-speaking, no indication of suicide risk or thought disorder) were
      sampled from a large urban Texas juvenile probation department. Protocol administration was
      proctored by a TCU research assistant at a private space within a juvenile justice office or
      mutually agreed upon location of participant's choosing. Youth were asked to complete all
      assessments and participate in the 4 individualized technology-based intervention sessions
      where youth received information and engaged in decision making scenario-based games about
      substance use, sex risk practices, and related health-risk.
    

Intervention name(s): Substance Use and Health Risk Intervention (SUHRI)
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Technology-based intervention designed as 4 sessions administered on a tablet as a self-directed approach (requiring an onsite proctor) for addressing factors that increase risk for significant health problems. Topics such as SU and risky sex are important but often sensitive or difficult for juvenile justice staff to address in their role as probation officers.
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Intervention model description: A technology-based application (administered via tablet) that addresses the interrelated topics of substance use and risky sex practices, within the context of personal relationships.
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment