Abstract: Wed: Adolescent Communication Preferences for Substance Use Brief Interventions (Society for Prevention Research 27th Annual Meeting)

232 Wed: Adolescent Communication Preferences for Substance Use Brief Interventions

Schedule:
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Pacific D/L (Hyatt Regency San Francisco)
* noted as presenting author
Lillian Gelberg, MD, MSPH, Professor, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Howard Padwa, PhD, Project Scientist, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Erick Guerrero, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Veronica Serret, MSW, Project Coordinator, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Melvin Rico, BS, Research Coordinator, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Introduction: Brief interventions (BIs) have shown potential to reduce both alcohol and drug use among adolescents. However, little is known about what adolescents’ communication preferences for brief interventions, particularly if they prefer them to be delivered in person, over the phone, or through social media. This paper examines adolescents’ interaction preferences for brief interventions (BIs) to reduce substance use.

Methods: Eighteen adolescents were interviewed and asked about their interaction preferences for BIs. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded using content analysis.

Results: Adolescents preferred oral forms of communication (face-to-face, over the telephone) over text-based forms of communication (text messaging, social media) for BIs. They reported that they did not prefer text-based information due to concerns about trust, the quality of information they would receive, and challenges communicating in writing instead of speaking.

Conclusions: Adolescents may prefer more personal and close interactions in BIs. These findings warrant further research and consideration, particularly as work to enhance BIs for adolescents continues.