Readiness to Change as a Mediator of the Effect of a Brief Motivational Intervention on Posttreatment Alcohol-Related Consequences of Injured Emergency Department Hazardous Drinkers

Evaluated impact of motivational enhancement (ME) of substance abuse treatment compared to relaxation training (RT) on sex without condoms (overall and involving substance use) 3 months following release among incarcerated adolescents. This randomized clinical trial involved 114 incarcerated adolescents from the Northeast. Regression analyses determined if treatment condition, baseline levels of depressive symptoms, and their interaction predicted condom non-use 3 months post-release, controlling for baseline condom non-use. Among those who reported fewer baseline depressive symptoms, those in ME condition reported significantly less condom non-use, in general and involving marijuana use compared with those in RT condition. Periods of incarceration represent opportunities to help juvenile detainees reduce behaviors that impact their health and the health of those with whom they interact in the community

Substance use clusters in a college sample: A multitheoretical approach

Substance use factors were examined and cross-validated in a cluster analytic approach in two independent samples of college students: N = 291 and N = 602. Reported frequency, intensity, and amount of substance use were examined for beer, hard liquor, marijuana, amphetamines, barbiturates, psychedelics, cocaine, and heroin. Variables were reduced using Principal Components Analysis (PCA) to form four substance use composites. Composite scores were entered into two different methods of cluster analysis that each identified four distinct clusters of substance use groups. External validity was obtained by showing that these four groups differed on a set of relevant variables. The four groups served as levels of the independent variable, substance use type, in four MANOVAs examining group differences on peer and family influence, psychosocial functioning, habit acquisition, and self-efficacy. Findings indicate that as frequency and intensity of substance use increased, individuals reported more problems in living, although a causal direction cannot be established. The findings are of potential value in early identification, prevention, and education regarding substance use among college populations. © 1994 Ablex Publishing Corporation