NCT05169385 · Brown University
Parent SMART (Substance Misuse in Adolescents in Residential Treatment)
What this study is about
Adolescents in residential substance use treatment have serious substance-related problems and poor outcomes following discharge: follow-up studies indicate that 60% of adolescents treated in residential treatment will relapse within the first 90 days.
View original scientific description
Adolescents in residential substance use treatment have serious substance-related problems and poor outcomes following discharge: follow-up studies indicate that 60% of adolescents treated in residential treatment will relapse within the first 90 days. Parenting practices have been established as a critical predictor of adolescents' substance use outcomes and likelihood of relapse following treatments, but parents are notoriously difficult to engage in adolescent substance use treatment. Findings such as these provide strong justification for targeting parents of adolescents in residential substance use treatment via easily accessible interventions. This study tests the effectiveness of a technology-assisted parenting intervention called Parent SMART (Substance Misuse among Adolescents in Residential Treatment). The intervention combines an off-the-shelf computer program that teaches parenting skills called Parenting Wisely, four telehealth coaching sessions, and a networking forum that allows parents to connect with a clinical expert and with other parents. The investigators will compare adolescents who receive standard residential substance use treatment to adolescents who receive the same treatment plus whose parents receive Parent SMART. Investigators will test the comparative effectiveness of Parent SMART versus residential treatment as usual on parental monitoring and communication, adolescent substance use (i.e., days of substance use and substance-related problems), and substance-related high-risk behaviors (i.e., school-related problems, criminal involvement, externalizing behavior). The investigators will also test whether improvements in parenting partially mediate any observed changes in adolescent substance use and other high-risk behaviors.
Interventions
BEHAVIORAL
Parent SMART
Parent SMART experimental intervention
BEHAVIORAL
Treatment as Usual
Residential treatment as usual
Primary outcome measures
Change in Parental Monitoring
Time frame: Baseline to 24 Weeks Post Discharge
The Parental Monitoring Questionnaire (PMQ), a parent-report and adolescent-report measure, will be used to assess dimensions of parental monitoring. It has three subscales: Child Disclosure, Parent Solicitation, and Parental Control.
Change in Parental Communication
Time frame: Baseline to 24 Weeks Post Discharge
The Parent-Adolescent Communication Scale (PCAS), a parent-report and adolescent-report measure, will be used to assess dimensions of parental monitoring. It has two subscales: General Communication and Problems with Communication.
Change in Family Assessment Task Interaction Ratings
Time frame: Baseline to 24 Weeks Post Discharge
The Family Assessment Task, a video-taped family problem solving task will be used to provide an in vivo assessment of parenting behavior. Three tasks provide data on monitoring and communication: Limit Setting, Substance Use Norms, and Monitoring and Listening. Tapes will be coded by two raters blind to condition.
Change in Proportion of Days Used Over the Past 90 Days Outside of a Controlled Environment
Time frame: Baseline to 24 Weeks Post Discharge
The Global Appraisal of Individual Needs - Core is a well-validated clinical interview used to assess adolescent substance use in a range of settings. Substance consumption information is collected using a calendar format with temporal cues (e.g., holidays) to assist in recall of days when alcohol and other drugs were used. Possible number of days range from 0 to 90. Values are adjusted to reflect the percent of days used outside of controlled environment, with final values ranging from 0 to 100%.
Change in Substance Use Problems
Time frame: Baseline to 24 Weeks Post Discharge
The Global Appraisal of Individual Needs - Core is a well-validated clinical interview used to assess adolescent substance use in a range of settings. The Substance-Related Problems Scale provides a count of substance-related problems experienced over the past 90 days. Possible values range from 0 to 11.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- for Adolescents:
- admitted to residential treatment due to concerns about frequency and/or severity of substance use
- report alcohol and/or drug use in the past 90 days
- be discharged to live with primary guardian
- fluent in English or Spanish
- willing and able to participate in a 2 hour interview prior to discharge from residential
Exclusion criteria
- for Adolescents:
- does not report alcohol or drug use in the past 90 days
- discharge plan does not include living with primary guardian
- not fluent in English or Spanish
- not willing or able to complete baseline interview Inclusion Criteria for Parents:
- parent or legal guardian of adolescent aged 12-18 years inclusive, at project start
- adolescent admitted to residential treatment due to concerns about frequency and/or severity of substance use
- will be primary guardian living with adolescent after discharge from residential
- fluent in English or Spanish
- willing and able to complete the baseline assessment prior to the adolescent's discharge
- access to a smartphone that can receive text messages and reliably access the internet Exclusion Criteria for Parents:
- not legal guardian of adolescent or adolescent not aged between 12-18 years
- adolescent not admitted to residential treatment due to substance use concerns
- will not be living with adolescent after adolescent's discharge from residential
- not fluent in English or Spanish
- not willing or able to complete the baseline assessment prior to the adolescent's discharge
- does not have access to a smartphone that can receive text messages and reliably access the internet
Where
- Rockford, Illinois
- Sioux City, Iowa
- Plymouth, Minnesota
Collaborators
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Northwestern University
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Apr 3, 2025 · Source of record for eligibility and locations