University of Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Emergency Department Brief Intervention (Project Sync)

University of Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Emergency Department Brief Intervention (Project Sync)

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a brief motivational interviewing intervention given during emergency department care to 14-20 year olds seeking treatment, could reduce youth violence.

This Emergency Department (ED) based study will test the effectiveness of a tailored therapist delivered motivational interviewing intervention, and an informational pamphlet control condition (IC) on reducing violence in 14-20 year olds who present to the Hurley Medical Center (HMC). Eligible adolescents at the Hurley Medical Center (HMC) emergency department (ED) (based on eligibility criteria) will complete a computerized online survey. The goal of the intervention was to examine ways to reduce and prevention youth violence using techniques to change behavior in a respectful, non-confrontational, and non-judgmental manner. This one-on one counseling approach emphasizes individual choice and responsibility and differentiates between future goals/values and current behavior. At 2-months following their ED visit, eligible adolescents (both from the intervention group and control group) will meet with a research assistant and self-administer an online computerized follow-up survey. An online survey tool will be used for baseline, follow up and post-test surveys. Participants will self-administer the survey at the time of follow up, post-test and baseline.

Brief 30 minute on-on-one private motivation interviewing intervention during emergency department care

This group did not receive an intervention, but did receive an informational pamphlet of resources in the area (enhanced usual care).

A 30 minute private on-on-one brief motivational interviewing intervention given during emergency department care. The goal of the intervention was to reduce and prevention youth violence using techniques to change behavior in a respectful, non-confrontational, and non-judgmental manner. This one-on one counseling approach emphasizes individual choice and responsibility and differentiates between future goals/values and current behavior

violence behaviors as assessed with the combined modified Conflict Tactic Scale and the Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory to measure both peer and partner violence

Inclusion Criteria: adolescents (ages 14-20) presenting to the Hurley Medical Center for a medical injury or illness (except exclusions noted below); adolescents will the ability to provide informed assent/consent depending on age; access to a parent or guardian in person or by telephone for parental consent for adolescents ages 14-17 (over 90% of adolescents had a parent/guardian present based on our prior work); currently residing in the intervention or control area; Exclusion Criteria: adolescents who do not understand English; prisoners; adolescents with abnormal vital signs; adolescents deemed unable to provide informed consent by Emergency Department or research staff (e.g., intoxication, mental incompetence); adolescents treated in the Emergency Department for suicide attempts or sexual assault (because they present in high psychological distress requiring intensive attention and intervention by Emergency Department staff).

Carter PM, Walton MA, Zimmerman MA, Chermack ST, Roche JS, Cunningham RM. Efficacy of a Universal Brief Intervention for Violence Among Urban Emergency Department Youth. Acad Emerg Med. 2016 Sep;23(9):1061-70. doi: 10.1111/acem.13021. Epub 2016 Sep 7.