Motivational interviewing reduced alcohol use in Hispanic and non-Hispanic adolescents | Research

The takeaway

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.

Clinicians, school counselors, and researchers working with adolescent substance use.

MI equally effective for Hispanic and non-Hispanic white adolescents

What the researchers 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.

Why it 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 numbers in context

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 the study worked

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.

What this study cannot 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.

How to read the evidence

Well-designed RCT with a large predominantly Hispanic sample, though only 6-month follow-up and self-reported outcomes.

When this study was published

Published in 2022.

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.

Questions still open

Could MI be adapted to target cannabis use more directly in adolescents? What cultural factors might enhance MI effectiveness for Hispanic youth specifically?

Common 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.

Read the original research

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

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

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