Controlled Trial Examining the Strength-Based Grit Wellbeing and Self-Regulation Program for Young People in Residential Settings for Substance Use

Abstract

This cohort-controlled trial examined whether the 12-session Grit Wellbeing and Self-regulation Program enhanced the treatment outcomes of young people accessing residential alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment. Grit focuses on increasing wellbeing and reducing substance use and mental health problems by building self-regulation skills, strengths, social connections, and health behaviours. Participants were 194 (66% male, Mage 27.40) young people (aged 18–35 years) accessing a six-week residential treatment program for substance use. Participants received standard treatment, or standard treatment plus Grit (two sessions/week for six weeks). The primary outcome was substance use, measured as: (i) global substance use and (ii) alcohol, methamphetamine, and cannabis use involvement. Secondary outcomes included wellbeing, depression, anxiety, and vocational engagement. Participants were assessed at baseline, and 6-weeks (secondary outcomes only), 3-months, 6-months, and 12-months post-program enrolment. Results revealed that both groups showed a significant improvement in all outcomes at three months, and improvements were maintained at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. The Grit group had a larger reduction in methamphetamine and cannabis use involvement compared to the control group. This study presents promising evidence that a six-week residential program can achieve improvements in AOD use, depression, anxiety, wellbeing and vocational engagement. Further, targeting self-regulation may enhance such programs.

Study protocol: implementing and evaluating a trauma-informed model of care in residential youth treatment for substance use disorders

“…Frontiers in Psychiatry 07 frontiersin.org 6-and 12-months. This estimate was calculated by the recruitment rate for a similar therapeutic study held at the same facility (62). The staff sample size is determined by the number of staff at the participating facility, approximately 20 people.…”

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“…The indicators are mentioning, describing, identifying, and stating. This is of course very different from the intervention group which can increase their self-control at least to the application stage, namely the ability to use the material that has been studied in actual situations[23].LIMITATIONThere are some limitations that can be givenmore attention to future researchers in further perfecting his research because this research itself of course has deficiencies that need to be continuously improved in research in the future. Some of the limitations in this study include time.…”