Title

A randomized clinical trial of motivational interviewing plus skills training vs. Relaxation plus education and 12-Steps for substance using incarcerated youth: Effects on alcohol, marijuana and crimes of aggression

Authors

L. A.R. Stein, University of Rhode Island
Rosemarie Martin, Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies
Mary Clair-Michaud, Rhode Island Training School
Rebecca Lebeau, Rhode Island Executive Office of
Warren Hurlbut, Salve Regina University
Christopher W. Kahler, Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies
Peter M. Monti, Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies
Damaris Rohsenow, Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

2-1-2020

Abstract

Background: Motivational Interviewing plus Cognitive Behavior Therapy (MI/CBT) has been used to reduce adolescent substance use, but has rarely been applied in youth correctional settings. This trial compared MI/CBT against Relaxation Training plus Substance-Education/12-Steps (RT/SET) to reduce substance use and crime among incarcerated youth. Methods: Participants (N = 199) were incarcerated juveniles (64.8 % non-White, 10.1 % girls, mean age of 17.1 years). Two individual sessions of MI (or RT) were followed by 10 group sessions of CBT (or SET). Youth were randomized to condition with follow-ups at 3- and 6-months after release. Major outcomes included alcohol, marijuana and crimes involving aggression. Results: A marginal treatment by time interaction was found for percent heavy drinking days, with follow-up tests indicating less alcohol use in RT/SET than MI/CBT at 6 months, and increased use within MI/CBT from 3 to 6 months. A significant treatment by time interaction was found for alcohol-related predatory aggression, with follow-up tests indicating fewer youth engaged in this behavior from 3 to 6 months within RT/SET, and weak evidence favoring MI/CBT over RT/SET at 3 months. General predatory aggression decreased from 3 to 6-months for both treatments. Conclusions: Although weak evidence was found favoring MI/CBT with respect to alcohol-related predatory aggression, results generally support RT/SET in reducing percent heavy drinking days.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

Volume

207

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Stein, L. A., Rosemarie Martin, Mary Clair-Michaud, Rebecca Lebeau, Warren Hurlbut, Christopher W. Kahler, Peter M. Monti, and Damaris Rohsenow. "A randomized clinical trial of motivational interviewing plus skills training vs. Relaxation plus education and 12-Steps for substance using incarcerated youth: Effects on alcohol, marijuana and crimes of aggression." Drug and Alcohol Dependence 207, (2020). doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107774.