Helping Youth and Families Learn Self-Regulation to Prevent Early Alcohol and Cannabis Use A Study of the GRIT Coaching Program for Adolescents Ages 11 to 14 with High Adverse Childhood Experiences

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate the impact of a community health worker-led coaching program called GRIT on preventing early regular use of alcohol and cannabis among adolescents aged 11 to 14 who have experienced significant adversity and do not regularly use these substances at the start. The study focuses on youth impacted by high exposure to adverse childhood experiences ACEs, which can lead to difficulties in managing emotions and behaviors, increasing the risk of early substance use and related health issues. Researchers will compare GRIT with an active control program focused on digital citizenship to assess effects on self-regulation and cardiometabolic risks. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the GRIT intervention or the Digital Citizenship Curriculum. The GRIT program involves six weekly 60-minute sessions delivered via Zoom by community health workers, teaching coping and self-regulation skills using heart rate variability biofeedback and promoting healthy habits. The Digital Citizenship Curriculum also consists of six weekly sessions focused on navigating digital life. Participants attend three in-person visits at the start, immediately after the intervention, and 12 months later, with an optional booster session six months post-intervention. Throughout the study, participants complete heart rate variability assessments, surveys, and online questionnaires at multiple time points including baseline, post-intervention, six months, and 12 months post-intervention. Researchers will measure substance use, emotional regulation, sleep quality, nutrition, physical activity, family functioning, psychological flexibility, and stress levels. The study includes ongoing monitoring of participant progress and effects over a full year after the intervention to understand its impact on preventing substance use and improving health.

The THRIVE Study: Teaching Healthy Regulation in Individuals & Vulnerable Environments