This project will pilot test a computer-assisted social network intervention, using motivational interviewing techniques, that can help case managers work with formerly homeless young adults who recently transitioned to supportive housing to reduce substance use and increase permanent supportive connections during this critical transitional period.
The goal of this study is to conduct a pilot evaluation of a motivational network intervention (MNI) to reduce substance use and strengthen supportive connections for recently homeless 18-25 year-olds who have transitioned to a housing program. The goal of this pilot study is to evaluate, through a small randomized controlled trial (Stage 1b), the added benefit of incorporating the MNI into case management for transitional age youth (TAY) residents of housing programs. We hypothesized that residents receiving the MNI as part of case management would show more positive changes in their substance use behaviors and the composition and structure of their personal networks (i.e., greater proportion of network members who are low-risk) over a 3-month follow-up period compared to residents receiving usual case management only.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
39
Every 2 weeks, residents attend meetings with their case manager. These meetings are customized to the needs of the resident at the time of the meeting. Participants randomized into the Motivational Network Intervention arm are offered an additional discussion about their social networks. Case managers ask participants to answer a series of standardized questions about people they know. After these questions are answered, case managers show participants a series of images representing these answers. While showing these images, case mangers engage the participant in discussions about what they notice using Motivational Interviewing techniques. The goal is to discuss what the participant wants to change and state strategies about achieving these changes.
Residents attend regular case management meetings with their case managers as a condition of their residency in the housing program. These sessions are customized do the needs of the resident at the time of the meeting. Participants randomized into the usual care arm will be offered these sessions every 2 weeks.
The Village Family Services
Burbank, California, United States
Number of Days Cannabis Used
Count of days that respondent used cannabis in the past 30 days
Time frame: 30 days
Proportion of Risky Network Members
Proportion of network members who engaged in substance use or the participant used more substances when they were with the network member.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Number of Drinks Consumed on Drinking Days
Participants reported on the typical number of drinks they consumed on drinking days in the past month.
Time frame: 30 days
Number of Drinking Days
Number of days in the past month (0-30) that participants reported engaging in any alcohol use.
Time frame: 30 days
Number of Days Consumed 5 (for Men) or 4 (for Women) Drinks on a Single Occasion
Number of days in the past month (0-30) that participants reported engaging in heavy alcohol use (5 or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women on a single occasion).
Time frame: 30 days
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.