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Neurological Influences on Drug Prevention Intervention

Phase 1
Completed
Conditions
Youths At-risk for Drug Use/Abuse
Interventions
Other: Psychoeducation
Behavioral: Integrated Family and Cognitive-Behavioral Drug Prevention Intervention
Registration Number
NCT00198939
Lead Sponsor
University of Florida
Brief Summary

In this R01 study, a randomized clinical trial is proposed to evaluate the efficacy of a drug abuse prevention intervention for indicated middle school youth that coordinates family and teen-based components. The Family Management Intervention is comprised of a parent-focused curriculum to foster parenting skills followed by brief family therapy to foster adaptive family communication and age-appropriate roles. The Teen Achievement Intervention is comprised of a clinician-delivered learning strategy curriculum to foster academic achievement followed by a similar yet peer-facilitated curriculum to foster self-efficacy and prosocial peer networks. In the first study aim, we seek to evaluate the separate and possibly synergistic effects of the Family Management and Teen Achievement components on post intervention drug use, problem behavior, psychological distress, and academic achievement of indicated youth. Innovative analytic strategies are subsequently used to elucidate mediated pathways by which the interventions might reduce drug involvement and problem behavior by promoting changes in targeted skills and behavior change processes. The possibility of effect-modification also is considered, with a focus on neurocognitive, internalizing/externalizing, and demographic factors, in an effort to discern why interventions work for some youth but not others. This application revision has sought to address well-taken concerns cited by the reviewers while maintaining proposal strengths. In response to a key limitation, this revision includes further specification of anticipated relationships between neurocognitive variables, skill acquisition levels, and prevention intervention outcomes among indicated youth. Study hypotheses on specific neurocognitive effects are informed by empirical findings and the clinical experience of investigative team members specializing in neuropsychology. If successful, this project should improve prevention practices by identifying malleable behavior change processes fostered by effective interventions. Improving our understanding of how individual characteristics of indicated youth, such as neurocognitive deficits or externalizing problems, influence the development of skills during interventions and subsequent outcomes may also help to improve existing prevention interventions. The significance of the proposed study is underscored further by the substantial size of the targeted population of indicated youth, and the range of morbidities and mortality that often result when early warning signs of drug abuse are not addressed.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
330
Inclusion Criteria
  • 11 to 15 year old middle school students
Exclusion Criteria
  • Acute suicidal, homicidal, psychotic ideation
  • Problem severity indicating outpatient or residential treatment

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
FACTORIAL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PsychoeducationPsychoeducationDrug education curriculum was delivered to participants assigned to this condition.
Conitive Behavorial TherapyIntegrated Family and Cognitive-Behavioral Drug Prevention InterventionThe cognitive-behavioral program introduces youths to problem-solving behavior change principles and study skills to promote school achievement.
Family TherapyIntegrated Family and Cognitive-Behavioral Drug Prevention InterventionParticipants assigned to the Family Therapy arm received a family-centered intervention to support targeted adolescent behavior change. The family therapy component of IFCBT includes engagement, active treatment, and maintenance phases.
Intergrated Family and Cognitve Behavioral TherapyIntegrated Family and Cognitive-Behavioral Drug Prevention InterventionParticipants assigned to the IFCBT arm received the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Family Therapy intervention components.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Alcohol use abstinence and frequency3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 month Follow-up assement

Personal Experience Inventory (PEI) is a youth self-report drug use inventory that assesses the frequency and quantity of substance use and drug abuse risk factors, such as deviant behavior and peer drug use.

Marijuana use abstinence and frequency3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 Month Follow-up Assessment

The Personal Experience Inventory (PEI) is a youth self-report drug use inventory that assesses the frequency and quantity of substance use and drug abuse risk factors, such as deviant behavior and peer drug use.

Other drug use abstinence and frequency3, 6, 9, 12, 18 month Follow-up Assessment

The Adolescent Stage of Change Scale (ASCS) consists of items to measure youths' motivation to change drug use behavior. Urine will also be analyzed for the presence of drugs, such as cannabinoids, cocaine, opiates, amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry methods.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Academic achievement3,6,9,12, and 18 month assessment

The Interview on Sociodemographic Characteristics is administered to collect information on grades, academic achievement, days truant, school behavior problems, detention, suspension, and expulsion.

Family functioning3,6,9,12, and 18 month follow-up assessment

The Family Assessment Measure (FAM) is a self-report tool for parents and children that measures change processes targeted by the family systems component of IFCBT, including appropriate role performance, parental control, and communication.

Learning Strategy Skill3,6,9,12, and 18 month assessment

The Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) assesses adolescents' motivation to learn in school and use of effective learning strategies that are addressed during the Learning Strategy Training module of IFCBT.

Legal Involvement3,6,9, 12, and 18 month follow-up assessment

The parent and adolescent versions of the Missouri Assessment for Genetics Interview for Children (MAGIC) address diagnostic symptoms associated with DSM-IV criteria including conduct disorder and antisocial personality disorder and includes questions on legal involvement.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

🇺🇸

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

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