Motivational interviewing reduced alcohol use in Hispanic and non-Hispanic adolescents
Motivational interviewing reduced alcohol use equally well among Hispanic and non-Hispanic white adolescents, with motivation and self-efficacy as key mechanisms, though direct effects on cannabis use were not observed.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
In 448 adolescents (347 Hispanic, 101 non-Hispanic white, ages 13-18), those receiving motivational interviewing showed greater reductions in alcohol use compared to alcohol and cannabis education (ACE) at 6 months. Treatment response was comparable across ethnicities. While MI did not directly reduce cannabis use, increased motivation showed an indirect effect on cannabis use reduction.
Key Numbers
448 adolescents (77.5% Hispanic), ages 13-18. MI showed greater alcohol use reductions vs ACE at 6 months. Motivation and self-efficacy identified as mechanisms. Indirect effect of motivation on cannabis reduction was significant.
How They Did This
Randomized controlled trial comparing two 1-hour individual sessions of motivational interviewing (MI) vs alcohol and cannabis education (ACE) in substance-using adolescents. 6-month follow-up examining outcomes and mechanisms of change.
Why This Research Matters
Hispanic youth are one of the fastest-growing minority groups, yet little is known about their response to evidence-based addiction interventions. This trial shows MI works equally well regardless of ethnicity.
The Bigger Picture
The finding that motivation mediates cannabis use reduction, even without a direct treatment effect, suggests that enhancing motivation through MI could be a pathway to reduced cannabis use if the approach is refined.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Only 6-month follow-up. Self-reported substance use. Active control (ACE) rather than no-treatment control. Mechanisms for Hispanic adolescent cannabis use reduction remain underexplored.
Questions This Raises
- ?Could MI be adapted to target cannabis use more directly in adolescents?
- ?What cultural factors might enhance MI effectiveness for Hispanic youth specifically?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- MI equally effective for Hispanic and non-Hispanic white adolescents
- Evidence Grade:
- Well-designed RCT with a large predominantly Hispanic sample, though only 6-month follow-up and self-reported outcomes.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2022.
- Original Title:
- Randomized controlled trial of motivational interviewing for alcohol and cannabis use within a predominantly Hispanic adolescent sample.
- Published In:
- Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology, 30(3), 287-299 (2022)
- Authors:
- Feldstein Ewing, Sarah, Bryan, Angela D(19), Dash, Genevieve F(2), Lovejoy, Travis I, Borsari, Brian, Schmiege, Sarah J
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03833
Evidence Hierarchy
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or placebo groups to test cause and effect.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Did motivational interviewing help with cannabis use?
Not directly, but increased motivation (a mechanism of MI) showed a significant indirect effect on cannabis use reduction. The treatment may need adaptation to target cannabis use more specifically.
Did MI work differently for Hispanic youth?
No, treatment response was comparable across ethnicities for alcohol use. However, the authors note that potential mechanisms specific to Hispanic adolescents' cannabis use response need further exploration.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03833APA
Feldstein Ewing, Sarah; Bryan, Angela D; Dash, Genevieve F; Lovejoy, Travis I; Borsari, Brian; Schmiege, Sarah J. (2022). Randomized controlled trial of motivational interviewing for alcohol and cannabis use within a predominantly Hispanic adolescent sample.. Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology, 30(3), 287-299. https://doi.org/10.1037/pha0000445
MLA
Feldstein Ewing, Sarah, et al. "Randomized controlled trial of motivational interviewing for alcohol and cannabis use within a predominantly Hispanic adolescent sample.." Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1037/pha0000445
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Randomized controlled trial of motivational interviewing for..." RTHC-03833. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/feldstein-2022-randomized-controlled-trial-of
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.