A Web-Based Coping and Alcohol-Intervention Program for Adolescents Having Parents with Alcohol Problems: A Randomized Controlled Efficacy Trial

Introduction: Approximately 20% of all Swedish children grow up with at least one problem-drinking parent. This may affect children negatively and most Swedish municipalities therefore provide resources for support. However, figures reveal that less than 2% of these children receive support, mainly due to difficulties in the identification and recruitment of children into support programs. Delivering intervention programs to this target group via the Internet seems a promising strategy; yet, the number of web-based programs is scarce. Here, we report on a novel internet-delivered therapist assisted self-management intervention called the web-ICAIP (Individual Coping and Alcohol Intervention Program) targeted to adolescents having parents with alcohol problems. The purpose of the program is to strengthen adolescents’ coping behavior, improve their mental health, and postponing the onset or decreasing risky alcohol consumption.

Methods: The efficacy of the program is currently being tested in a randomized controlled trial. The trial will include at least 183 15–19 year olds randomly allocated into either a treatment group or a waiting list treatment-as-usual group. Participants are recruited via advertisements on Facebook and at “health-related” websites. Adolescents are screened using the short version of the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test (CAST-6). The assessment consists of a baseline measurement (t0) and two follow-ups after two (t1) and six months (t2). Primary outcomes include the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-DC), a coping behavior scale, and the short version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C). Additional outcomes include the “Ladder of life” measuring overall life satisfaction and questions concerning program adherence.

Results: To date, 362 adolescents have completed the screening questionnaire, whereof 42 participants (28%), out of 150 eligible adolescents, gave informed consent. Recruitment is currently underway and is scheduled to last until the end of 2012. Complete data from t0 and t1 will be available during early march 2012 and preliminary results will be presented.

Conclusions: There is an urgent need for developing and evaluating web-based intervention programs targeting children having problem-drinking parents. This study therefore makes an important contribution to this novel field of research.