Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2012 Jun;129(6):1083-90.
doi: 10.1542/peds.2011-3419. Epub 2012 May 21.

Brief motivational interviewing intervention for peer violence and alcohol use in teens: one-year follow-up

Rebecca M Cunningham  1 , Stephen T Chermack, Marc A Zimmerman, Jean T Shope, C Raymond Bingham, Frederic C Blow, Maureen A Walton
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Brief motivational interviewing intervention for peer violence and alcohol use in teens: one-year follow-up

Rebecca M Cunningham et al. Pediatrics. 2012 Jun.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Emergency department (ED) visits present an opportunity to deliver brief interventions (BIs) to reduce violence and alcohol misuse among urban adolescents at risk for future injury. Previous analyses demonstrated that a BI resulted in reductions in violence and alcohol consequences up to 6 months. This article describes findings examining the efficacy of BIs on peer violence and alcohol misuse at 12 months.

Methods: Patients (14-18 years of age) at an ED reporting past year alcohol use and aggression were enrolled in the randomized control trial, which included computerized assessment, random assignment to control group or BI delivered by a computer or therapist assisted by a computer. The main outcome measures (at baseline and 12 months) included violence (peer aggression, peer victimization, violence-related consequences) and alcohol (alcohol misuse, binge drinking, alcohol-related consequences).

Results: A total of 3338 adolescents were screened (88% participation). Of those, 726 screened positive for violence and alcohol use and were randomly selected; 84% completed 12-month follow-up. In comparison with the control group, the therapist assisted by a computer group showed significant reductions in peer aggression (P < .01) and peer victimization (P < .05) at 12 months. BI and control groups did not differ on alcohol-related variables at 12 months.

Conclusions: Evaluation of the SafERteens intervention 1 year after an ED visit provides support for the efficacy of computer-assisted therapist brief intervention for reducing peer violence.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
SafERteens flow chart (September 2006 to September 2009).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. WISQARS Leading Causes of Death Reports, 1999–2002. Available at: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars/fatal/help/causes_icd10.htm Accessed December 21, 2005
    1. Ellickson PL, Tucker JS, Klein DJ. Ten-year prospective study of public health problems associated with early drinking. Pediatrics. 2003;111(5 pt 1):949–955 - PubMed
    1. Gabriel RM, Hopson T, Haskins M, Powell KE. Building relationships and resilience in the prevention of youth violence. Am J Prev Med. 1996;12(5 suppl):48–55 - PubMed
    1. Jessor R, Donovan JE, Costa FM. Beyond Adolescence: Problem Behavior and Young Adult Development. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press; 1991
    1. Donovan JE, Jessor R, Costa FM. Syndrome of problem behavior in adolescence: a replication. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1988;56(5):762–765 - PubMed

Publication types