Parent Activation for Substance Use Disorders

(LEAP Trial)

Overseen By Ashli Sheidow, Ph.D.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Oregon Social Learning Center

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

141 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The juvenile justice (JJ) system serves over a million cases every year and represents the primary referral source for treatment of substance use and antisocial behavior in youth. However, engagement of the JJ population in treatment is alarmingly low; further, rural communities have neither access to evidence-based practices (EBPs) nor the finances and treatment infrastructure to support their delivery. However, using an innovation called task-shifting, juvenile probation/parole officers in rural communities might be able to deliver a central change mechanism for EBPs (parent activation), with the ultimate goal of improving JJ youth outcomes.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Parent Activation for Substance Use Disorders?

Research shows that involving parents in interventions can improve their ability to help their children with substance use issues. For example, group interventions and skill training for parents have been effective in reducing problems related to their children's substance use and improving parental skills and communication. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the Parent Activation treatment for substance use disorders differ from other treatments?

Parent Activation treatment is unique because it focuses on empowering parents to help their children with substance use disorders by improving their coping skills and communication, rather than directly treating the child. This approach is different from traditional treatments that primarily target the individual with the disorder. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Research Team

Michael McCart, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Oregon Social Learning Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for juvenile probation/parole officers in certain counties of Idaho or Oregon. It's designed to help them learn how to activate parents, aiming to improve outcomes for youth with substance use and antisocial behavior issues.

Inclusion Criteria

Any juvenile probation/parole officer working in a participating county in Idaho or Oregon who consents to participate.

Exclusion Criteria

Not applicable.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Parent Activation Implementation

Juvenile probation/parole officers deliver Parent Activation to juveniles and families

36 months

Biweekly visits

Usual Services

Juvenile probation/parole officers deliver usual services to juveniles and families

36 months

Biweekly visits

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in family outcomes, self-efficacy, and other measures

36 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Parent Activation
• Usual Services

Trial Overview The study is testing a new approach called 'parent activation' against the usual services provided by the juvenile justice system. The goal is to see if this method can better engage parents and support youth treatment in rural areas.

Participant Groups

Group I: Parent Activation Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This group of JPOs will deliver Parent Activation as a service to the juveniles and families on their caseloads.

Group II: Usual Services Active Control 1 Intervention

This group of JPOs will deliver services as usual to the juveniles and families on their caseloads.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Oregon Social Learning Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

36

Recruited

8,900+

Findings from Research

A study involving 545 parents of youth with substance use disorders showed that participation in a clinician-led group based on the CRAFT model improved parents' feelings of empowerment in coping with their child's issues, despite overall stress levels remaining unchanged.

The low retention rate, with only 12% of parents completing all 8 weeks, suggests a need for adaptations to the program to enhance engagement and support for parents in real-world settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Naturalistic Evaluation of a Group Intervention for Parents of Youth with Substance Use Disorders. Ameral, V., Yule, A., McKowen, J., et al.[2021]

In a study involving 85 distressed parents of substance-abusing adolescents, 12 weeks of coping skill training (CST) resulted in greater coping skillfulness compared to 12-step facilitation (TSF), with both interventions outperforming the delayed treatment control (DTC).

Both CST and TSF significantly reduced the number of problem days caused by the adolescent's substance use, and these benefits were maintained over a 12-month follow-up, indicating their effectiveness for supporting parents in this challenging situation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Skill training versus 12-step facilitation for parents of substance-abusing teens. McGillicuddy, NB., Rychtarik, RG., Papandonatos, GD.[2021]

The Parent SMART intervention, which includes technology-assisted resources and telehealth coaching, aims to improve parenting skills and reduce adolescent substance use in families of adolescents undergoing residential treatment, with a total of 220 parent-adolescent dyads participating in the study.

This fully-powered randomized controlled trial will assess the effectiveness of Parent SMART compared to traditional treatment, with follow-up assessments at 6, 12, and 24 weeks post-discharge to evaluate its impact on parenting practices and adolescent behaviors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Parent SMART (Substance Misuse in Adolescents in Residential Treatment): Protocol of a Randomized Effectiveness Trial of a Technology-Assisted Parenting Intervention. Becker, SJ., Helseth, SA., Kelly, LM., et al.[2022]

In a study of 125 addiction treatment programs in the U.S., only 43% offered any form of parenting classes, and even fewer utilized a structured curriculum, highlighting a gap in integrating parenting skills education into addiction treatment.

Effective parenting practices are known to reduce negative outcomes for children of parents with substance use disorders, yet the lack of structured parenting interventions in treatment programs suggests a missed opportunity to improve family outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Integration of parenting skills education and interventions in addiction treatment. Arria, AM., Mericle, AA., Rallo, D., et al.[2021]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Naturalistic Evaluation of a Group Intervention for Parents of Youth with Substance Use Disorders. [2021]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Skill training versus 12-step facilitation for parents of substance-abusing teens. [2021]

3. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Parent SMART (Substance Misuse in Adolescents in Residential Treatment): Protocol of a Randomized Effectiveness Trial of a Technology-Assisted Parenting Intervention. [2022]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reducing parental risk factors for children's substance misuse: preliminary outcomes with opiate-addicted parents. [2019]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychosocially enhanced treatment for cocaine-dependent mothers: evidence of efficacy. [2022]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for reducing parental substance misuse. [2023]

7. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Integration of parenting skills education and interventions in addiction treatment. [2021]