Combining Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Substances in Detained Youth

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Adolescent Psychiatry
• Forensic Psychology

Background:

• Detained youth often exhibit low motivation for treatment and behavioral change, hindering successful interventions.
• Substance use is a significant issue among detained populations, necessitating effective therapeutic approaches.
• Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) are interventions explored for enhancing treatment engagement and reducing substance use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility and effects of a brief Motivational Interviewing (MI) protocol combined with Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) on detained youth.
• To assess the impact of this combined intervention on motivation for treatment and behavioral change in a juvenile detention setting.
• To adapt an existing MI protocol for adult parolees to suit the adolescent population in detention.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 52 detained youth who received the adapted MI protocol alongside CBM.
• A control group received CBM without the MI intervention, matched for similar population characteristics.
• Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to examine changes in motivation over time and between conditions.

Main Results:

• The study found no significant changes in motivation over time within the intervention group.
• There was no significant difference in motivation between the group receiving MI plus CBM and the control group receiving only CBM.
• The application of the MI protocol was deemed feasible in this population.

Conclusions:

• The adapted MI protocol, when combined with CBM, did not demonstrate an effect on motivation for treatment in detained youth.
• Adaptations to the MI protocol may be necessary, as certain components, like reflection on extensive substance use history, might not be applicable to adolescents with briefer use patterns.
• Future interventions should consider the severity of substance use behavior in detained youth when designing or applying therapeutic protocols.