Substance Use Interventions for Truant Adolescents

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study evaluates a brief motivation-building intervention for parents and teens to reduce truancy and substance use. It is hypothesized that the motivational intervention will result in better outcomes compared to an education-only intervention.

Detailed Description
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Adolescents who use marijuana and are truant from school are a high-risk population with increased likelihood of substance use disorders, criminal justice involvement, and long-term impairments in vocational, family, and peer domains. This study will test a theory-driven intervention for early adolescent marijuana using, truant youth identified through Rhode Island Truancy and Family Courts. Adolescents will be randomly assigned to one of the 2 conditions: a motivational interview versus psychoeducation.

Official Title
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Brief Individual and Parent Interventions for Substance Use in Truant Adolescents

Conditions
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Adolescent Problem Behavior, Truancy; Unsocialized, Marijuana Abuse, Truancy; Socialized, Substance Abuse, Alcohol Abuse

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Motivational + Family Check-up (MET+FCU)
* Other: Psychoeducation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: the target child is in 6th-10th grade at the start of the project and living at home with at least one parent/guardian, the teen must report 6 or more incidences of marijuana use in the last 90 days (an approximation of biweekly use) by law, the teen must have at least 20 unexcused absences in an academic year to be in truancy court, and (4) parental consent and teen assent are obtained. Exclusion Criteria: the family is not able to speak and understand English or Spanish well enough to complete study procedures developmental delay, as determined by school placements outside the regular classroom, that would affect comprehension of the intervention.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 12 Years
Maximum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Two-arm randomized controlled trial
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Motivational + Family Check-up (MET+FCU)<br>The MET individual session covers three constructs; 1) intentions to use marijuana; 2) normative beliefs about peer substance use; and 3) attitudes towards peer substance use. These same three constructs are also addressed with respect to truancy. In addition, motivation to abstain from substance use is discussed. The FCU session with teens and parents/caregivers begins by collecting self-report measures and conducting a videotaped Family Assessment Task (FAsTask) to assess parent-teen interactions. The FAsTask is the basis of FCU feedback. There are four specific phases of the feedback session: 1) Self-assessment, 2) Support and clarification, 3) Feedback, and, 4) Action plan. | Behavioral: Motivational + Family Check-up (MET+FCU)<br>* In the MET session, motivational strategies of individualized normative feedback, examining decisional balance, and providing information/advice will be used to support goals for behavior change and to examine barriers to changes. There are four specific phases of the FCU session: (1) Self-assessment: Parents are asked if they learned anything about their family from participating in the assessment. (2) Support and clarification: The interviewer supports the parent's self-assessment efforts, assesses their level of understanding, and clarifies issues within the family. (3) Feedback: A summary form of the assessment is reviewed. (4) Action Plan: Throughout the session, the counselor works with the parent to develop a brief, written Action Plan about communication and monitoring.<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Psychoeducation<br>An interventionist will review a set of educational materials with the parents regarding teen marijuana use, effects of marijuana on the brain, body and behavior, risks associated with marijuana use, how to tell if a teen is engaging in marijuana use or truancy, and parenting skills. A comparable set of materials will be reviewed with the adolescent. | Other: Psychoeducation<br>* Psychoeducation about substances is provided to teens and parents.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Frequency of Marijuana Use | Total number of marijuana use days . | Last 90 days at baseline, and 3, 6, and 12 months | 
| Change in Quantity of Marijuana Use per Occasion of Use | Average quantity of marijuana use per day | Last 90 days at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Days truant from school | School attendance based on objective school records | Last 90 days at baseline, and 3, 6, and 12 months | 
| Change in Days truant from school, self-report | School attendance based on self-report | Last 90 days at baseline, and 3, 6, and 12 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Brief intervention, Behavioral intervention, Juvenile justice, Motivational enhancement