JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Preventive interventions to delay substance use disorder (SUD) are ideally delivered during early adolescence, a critical period for exposure to substance use (SU) risk factors. Young teens (ages 12-14) engaging in occasional use of alcohol, cannabis, or tobacco use, or with a family history of SUD, are at increased risk of SUD. Although behavioral-ecological family therapy is effective for prevention, many families face access barriers. Single session interventions (SSIs) may offer an accessible, low-intensity alternative.

Objective:

This open pilot trial evaluated the acceptability, feasibility, and potential utility of a family-based SSI targeting improvements in family practices that prevent SUD.

Methods:

Participants were nine young teens engaging in occasional SU or with a family history of SUD and their parent. The SSI involved a virtual two-hour family consultation with a trained family coach. Accessibility was measured via Program Feedback Scale (PFS), feasibility via SSI completion rate, and utility via pre-post changes in parenting self-efficacy.

Results:

The SSI was acceptable to parents and teens (mean PFS scores >= 3) and feasible (88.89% of parent-teen dyads completed the SSI). Most participants (81.25%) selected Communication and Problem Solving as their primary target for change. Parents reported increases in parenting self-efficacy from pre- to post-SSI.

Conclusions:

Findings support the SSI’s acceptability, feasibility, and utility for young teens at high risk for SUD. A randomized clinical trial is needed to confirm the SSI’s acceptability, feasibility, and efficacy as well as to address potential for delivery by lay workforce.