Preventing Opioid Use Among Justice-involved Youth as They Transition to Adulthood Leveraging Safe Adults (LeSA) (LeSA)

April 30, 2024 updated by: Texas Christian University

Preventing Opioid Use Among Justice-involved Youth as They Transition to Adulthood: Leveraging Safe Adults (LeSA)

Across the US, substance use is a significant public health concern, with juvenile justice (JJ)-involved youth representing a particularly vulnerable population. The current study proposes to adapt and test an intervention Trust-based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) for preventing initiation and/or escalation of opioid misuse among older adolescents involved in the JJ system. Successful completion of study aims will provide information on TBRI's utility for older JJ adolescents, barriers and facilitators of sustainment, and provide training and implementation support for sustainment in participating facilities.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Across the US, substance use (SU) is a significant public health concern, with an estimated 11.1 million misusing prescription opioids. Rates of opioid use disorders (OUDs) have increased exponentially, with 60% of overdoses attributed to heroin and illicit synthetics (such as Fentanyl). Although opioid use among youth is low compared to adults, experimentation and regular use increases later in adolescence as youth transition to adulthood. Juvenile justice (JJ)-involved youth represent a particularly vulnerable population, as they often experience mental health disorders, dysfunctional family/social relationships, and complex trauma, placing them at greater risk for SU and substance use disorders (SUDs). To ensure that these youth do not become another opioid statistic, innovative and effective prevention interventions are needed. The investigators propose to adapt and test an intervention for preventing initiation and/or escalation of opioid misuse among older JJ-involved adolescents. The target enrollment group will be youth aging out of JJ (15-18 years at study enrollment) who are transitioning to their communities after a period of detainment in a secure treatment or correctional facility. Trust-based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®; a relational, attachment-based intervention that promotes emotional regulation through interaction with responsive adults) will be adapted as a prevention intervention targeting youth at risk for SU (especially non-medical use of opioids). Safe adults (e.g., parent/guardian, extended family member) will be trained in behavior management techniques for empowering youth to appropriately express their needs, connecting them with others in pro-social ways, and correcting or reshaping undesirable behavior. The proposed Effectiveness/Implementation study will examine both the effectiveness of TBRI for preventing opioid misuse and the comparative utility of three support formats: (1) TBRI Training only, (2) TBRI Training + Structured Coaching, or (3) TBRI Training + Responsive Coaching (triggered by the youth's need/risk). A total of 360 youth/safe adult dyads will be recruited from 9 participating JJ facilities over a 3-year period, and followed for 18 months post-release (15 youth-adult dyads/year per facility). This design enables a comparison of TBRI versus Standard Reentry Practice (SRP; using a stepped-wedge design where each facility serves as its own control) plus a randomized control trial comparing 3 TBRI support formats. This study will also examine barriers and facilitators of TBRI sustainment. Ninety JJ staff (10 from each agency) will provide input annually via focus groups and surveys. TCU will work with administrators and staff at each JJ facility to implement a sustainment plan, which will include developing in-house TBRI expertise (i.e., staff training and implementation assistance). Successful completion of study aims will provide a test of the adapted intervention and will facilitate sustainment by providing training and implementation support to participating facilities.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

360

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

  • Name: Yang Yang, Ph.D.
  • Phone Number: 8172574391

Study Locations

    • Illinois
      • Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60612
        • Recruiting
        • Illinois Youth Center - Chicago
        • Contact:
      • Grafton, Illinois, United States, 62037
        • Recruiting
        • Illinois Youth Center - Pere Marquette
        • Contact:
      • Harrisburg, Illinois, United States, 62946
        • Recruiting
        • Illinois Youth Center- Harrisburg
        • Contact:
      • Naperville, Illinois, United States, 60563
        • Recruiting
        • Illinois Youth Center- Warrenville
        • Contact:
      • Saint Charles, Illinois, United States, 60175
        • Recruiting
        • Illinois Youth Center - St. Charles
        • Contact:
    • Texas
      • Denison, Texas, United States, 75020
        • Recruiting
        • Grayson County Juvenile Center/Boot Camp
        • Contact:
      • Denison, Texas, United States, 75020
        • Recruiting
        • Texas Monarch Academy for Girls/Rite of Passage
        • Contact:
      • Georgetown, Texas, United States, 78626
        • Recruiting
        • Williamson County Juvenile Services
        • Contact:
      • Granbury, Texas, United States, 76048
        • Recruiting
        • Lake Granbury Youth Services/Rite of Passage
        • Contact:
      • Houston, Texas, United States, 77586
      • McKinney, Texas, United States, 75071
        • Recruiting
        • Collin County Juvenile Probation Services
        • Contact:
          • H. Lynn Hadnot
          • Phone Number: 972-548-6470

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

15 years to 20 years (Child, Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

For the effectiveness component,

  • Youth ages 15-18 at study enrollment
  • Being disposed to community supervision (i.e., probation) following a minimum of 2 months in the secure residential JJ facility
  • No indication of active suicide risk
  • Being able to identify one safe adult that is willing to participate in the study.

For the implementation component:

• All staff with direct care or supervisory responsibilities within and outside the facilities (i.e., officers supervising youth after release) working with TCU on the LeSA project.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Youth outside the age range described above
  • Active suicide risk at the time of recruitment

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: Standard Reentry Practice
Youth/safe adult participants only receive assessments (baseline assessment while youth are at the facility; 3, 6, 12, 18 months follow-up assessments after youth are released from the facility).
Experimental: TBRI Training only

Youth/safe adult dyads participate in 9 TBRI caregiver modules (caregivers only), 9 youth modules (youth only), and 4 Nurture Groups (caregiver and youth joint role-play activities) prior to youth's release.

After the youth's release, they would receive phone support (only when requested by the caregiver or youth).

The intervention (Trust-based Relational Intervention® TBRI®) uses a youth-centered, attachment-based, and trauma-informed approach to strengthen youth/safe adult relationships and improve youth self-regulation (thinking, emotions, and behavior). TBRI includes TBRI Group Training and TBRI In-Home Coaching.

TBRI Group Training is comprised of three components: TBRI Youth Group Training (youth only), Caregiver Training (caregivers only), and Nurture Groups (youth-caregiver joint roleplay activities), which is conducted prior to youth's release.

Other Names:
  • TBRI
Experimental: TBRI Training + TBRI In-Home Structured Coaching

Youth/safe adult dyads participate in 9 TBRI caregiver modules (caregivers only), 9 youth modules (youth only), and 4 Nurture Groups (caregiver and youth joint role-play activities) prior to youth's release.

After youth's release, trained TCU TBRI Practitioners provide coaching sessions to youth/safe adult dyads in which they meet 4 times (once monthly) over the first 4 months following release.

The intervention (Trust-based Relational Intervention® TBRI®) uses a youth-centered, attachment-based, and trauma-informed approach to strengthen youth/safe adult relationships and improve youth self-regulation (thinking, emotions, and behavior). TBRI includes TBRI Group Training and TBRI In-Home Coaching.

TBRI Group Training is comprised of three components: TBRI Youth Group Training (youth only), Caregiver Training (caregivers only), and Nurture Groups (youth-caregiver joint roleplay activities), which is conducted prior to youth's release.

Other Names:
  • TBRI

The intervention (Trust-based Relational Intervention® TBRI®) uses a youth-centered, attachment-based, and trauma-informed approach to strengthen youth/safe adult relationships and improve youth self-regulation (thinking, emotions, and behavior). TBRI includes TBRI Group Training and TBRI In-Home Coaching.

TBRI In-Home Structured Training includes four structured in-home coaching sessions.

Other Names:
  • TBRI Structured Coaching
Experimental: TBRI Training + TBRI In-Home Responsive Coaching

Youth/safe adult dyads participate in 9 TBRI caregiver modules (caregivers only), 9 youth modules (youth only), and 4 Nurture Groups (caregiver and youth joint role-play activities) prior to youth's release.

After youth's release, trained TCU TBRI Practitioners provide coaching sessions to youth/safe adult dyads. They meet a minimum of 2 times during the first 2 months after release. Starting from Month 3, TBRI Practitioners would provide additional coaching when requested or when a research assistant (RA) identifies a need for additional coaching sessions.

The intervention (Trust-based Relational Intervention® TBRI®) uses a youth-centered, attachment-based, and trauma-informed approach to strengthen youth/safe adult relationships and improve youth self-regulation (thinking, emotions, and behavior). TBRI includes TBRI Group Training and TBRI In-Home Coaching.

TBRI Group Training is comprised of three components: TBRI Youth Group Training (youth only), Caregiver Training (caregivers only), and Nurture Groups (youth-caregiver joint roleplay activities), which is conducted prior to youth's release.

Other Names:
  • TBRI

The intervention (Trust-based Relational Intervention® TBRI®) uses a youth-centered, attachment-based, and trauma-informed approach to strengthen youth/safe adult relationships and improve youth self-regulation (thinking, emotions, and behavior). TBRI includes TBRI Group Training and TBRI In-Home Coaching.

TBRI In-Home Responsive Training includes at least 2 structured in-home coaching sessions plus additional sessions indefinitely as needed.

Other Names:
  • TBRI Responsive Coaching

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Youth days to opioid (and other substance use) initiation
Time Frame: 15 months
Initiation to opioid and other substance use (e.g., alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamine) over 15 months follow-up in days, measured by the scale of Timeline follow-back, Substance Use Involvement (i.e., during the past 30 days, how many days did you use alcohol or drugs; developed by the HEAL Prevention Cooperative), urinalysis results. Scores: 0-450 days; a higher score indicating a better outcome.
15 months
Youth months to opioid (and other substance use) initiation
Time Frame: 15 months
Initiation to opioid and other substance use over 15 months follow-up in months, monthly check-ins (any opioid use; any alcohol, other drug use in the past month). Scores: 0-15 months; a higher score indicating a better outcome.
15 months
Youth substance use severity
Time Frame: 15 months
Opioid use and other substance use (e.g., alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamine) over 15 months; measured by TCU Drug Screen 5 and TCU Drug Screen 5 - Opioid Supplement. Scores: 0-11, a higher score indicating a worse outcome.
15 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Self-regulation (youth) - positive and negative urgency
Time Frame: 15 months
TCU Adolescent Thinking Forms (TCU THK); Scores: 10-50; a higher score indicating a worse outcome
15 months
Self-regulation (youth) - delayed discounting
Time Frame: 15 months
Delay Discounting Task; Scores: 1-13; a higher score indicating a better outcome
15 months
Self-regulation (youth) - emotion regulation
Time Frame: 15 months
Difficulties in Emotion Regulation. Scores: 1-5, a higher score indicating a worse outcome
15 months
Self-regulation (youth) - executive functioning
Time Frame: 15 months
Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale-Child and Adolescent Short Form. Scores: 1-4, a higher score indicating a worse outcome.
15 months
Self-efficacy (youth)
Time Frame: 15 months
Two items (developed by the HEAL Prevention Cooperative) assessing how confident participants not misuse prescription or heroin in the next 30 days. Scores: 0-4, a higher score indicating a better outcome
15 months
Social exposure to alcohol, marijuana, heroin, and prescription opioids (youth)
Time Frame: 15 months
Four items, developed by the HEAL Prevention Cooperative, to assess social exposure to alcohol, marijuana, heroin, and prescription opioids (i.e., how often the adult who is most important to the participant drink alcohol or use marijuana, heroin, and prescription opioids). Scores: 0-3, a higher score indicating a worse outcome
15 months
Behavioral problems (youth)
Time Frame: 15 months
Behavioral problems in the areas of peer problems, hyperactivity, emotional problems, and conduct problems, assessed by the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire. Scores: 0-40, a higher score indicating a worse outcome
15 months
Prosocial behavior (youth)
Time Frame: 15 months
Prosocial behavior is assessed by the Prosocial subscale of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire. Scores: 0-10, a higher score indicating a better outcome.
15 months
Monthly check-ins on behavioral misconduct (youth)
Time Frame: 15 months
Monthly check-ins asking any truancy, trouble with the law during the last month. Scores: 0 (no) or 1 (yes, being involved in the behavioral misconduct).
15 months
Anxiety (both youth and caregivers)
Time Frame: 15 months
Assessed by the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) -7. Scores: 0-3, a higher score indicating a worse outcome.
15 months
Depression (both youth and caregivers)
Time Frame: 15 months
Assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). Scores: 0-3, a higher score indicating a worse outcome.
15 months
Pain (both youth and caregivers)
Time Frame: 15 months
Assessed by the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain domain. Scores: 0-3, a higher score indicating a worse outcome.
15 months
Youth and caregiver relationship
Time Frame: 15 months
Assessed by the Experiences in Close Relationships. Scores: 1-7, a higher score indicating a worse outcome.
15 months
Family relationship
Time Frame: 15 months
Assessed by the Family Assessment Device. Scores: 1-4, a higher score indicating a better outcome.
15 months
Monthly check-ins on anxiety, depression, and stress in the relationship with caregiver/safe adult (youth)
Time Frame: 15 months
Monthly check-ins asking any increase in anxiety, depression, or stress in the relationship with caregiver/safe adult. Scores: 0 (no) or 1 (yes, there is an increase in the past month).
15 months

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Frequency of receiving substance use treatment
Time Frame: 15 months
Frequency of receiving substance use treatment (alcohol, illegal drug use). Scores: 0 (never), 1 (once), or 2 (more than once), a higher score indicating a worse outcome.
15 months
Times of hospital visits related to substance use
Time Frame: 15 months
Times of hospital visits related to substance use. Scores: 0 - the number of times. A higher score indicating a worse outcome.
15 months
Times of treatment referral for substance use
Time Frame: 15 months
Times of treatment referral for substance use. Scores: 0 - the number of times. A higher score indicating a worse outcome.
15 months
Frequency of opioid overdose
Time Frame: 15 months
Frequency of opioid overdose. Scores: 0 (never), 1 (once), or 2 (more than once), a higher score indicating a worse outcome.
15 months
Receipt of Narcan for opioid overdose
Time Frame: 15 months
Receipt of Narcan for opioid overdose. Scores: 0 (no) or 1 (yes), a score of 1 indicating a worse outcome.
15 months
Recidivism
Time Frame: 15 months
Whether or not youth are re-arrest (0 = no, 1 = yes) or re-adjudicated (0 = no, 1 = yes). The information will come from JJ agency youth records. A score of 1 indicating a worse outcome.
15 months
Recidivism
Time Frame: 15 months
Days between discharge and youth's re-arrest and re-adjudication. The information will come from JJ agency youth records. Scores: 0-450 days, a higher score indicating a better outcome.
15 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Danica K Knight, Ph.D., Texas Christian University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

February 15, 2021

Primary Completion (Estimated)

August 31, 2024

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 31, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 11, 2020

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 16, 2020

First Posted (Actual)

December 22, 2020

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

May 2, 2024

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 30, 2024

Last Verified

April 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

All data will be further de-identified (e.g., by systematically scrambling Study IDs within study sites) before being shared with the HEAL Prevention Coordinating Center. The Coordinating Center will not have access to identifying information, nor will they have access to or knowledge of how participant study identification numbers were scrambled.

The data will also be shared publicly, following the HEAL Prevention Guidance for Appropriate Public Access and Data Sharing Plans, including the following aspects:

  • Electronic copies of publications will be deposited within 4 weeks of acceptance
  • Publications will be published under the Creative Commons Generic License
  • Publications will be made publicly available immediately without embargo
  • Underlying Primary Data for the Publications will be made broadly available
  • Sharing of Underlying Primary Data must be responsive to protecting confidential and proprietary data and is consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

IPD Sharing Time Frame

The data will be shared with the HEAL Prevention Cooperative between 2021 and 2024.

Sharing of underlying primary data for the publications will be made broadly available through an appropriate data repository, such as the NIH HEAL Initiative central data repository, or a non-NIH repository that conforms to the principles articulated in the HEAL Public Access and Data Sharing Policy (referred to in the URL included below).

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

All research teams that participate in the NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative.

https://heal.nih.gov/files/2020-01/2020-01-16_data-sharing-4.pdf

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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