Controlled Trial Examining the Strength-Based Grit Wellbeing and Self-Regulation Program for Young People in Residential Settings for Substance Use

Catherine A Quinn; Zoe C Walter; Dominique de Andrade; Genevieve Dingle; Catherine Haslam; Leanne Hides

doi:10.3390/ijerph192113835

Controlled Trial Examining the Strength-Based Grit Wellbeing and Self-Regulation Program for Young People in Residential Settings for Substance Use

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Oct 24;19(21):13835. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192113835.

Authors

Catherine A Quinn^{1

2}, Zoe C Walter^{1

2}, Dominique de Andrade^{2

3}, Genevieve Dingle², Catherine Haslam², Leanne Hides^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia.
² School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia.
³ School of Psychology, Deakin University, Melbourne 3125, Australia.

Abstract

This cohort-controlled trial examined whether the 12-session Grit Wellbeing and Self-regulation Program enhanced the treatment outcomes of young people accessing residential alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment. Grit focuses on increasing wellbeing and reducing substance use and mental health problems by building self-regulation skills, strengths, social connections, and health behaviours. Participants were 194 (66% male, Mage 27.40) young people (aged 18-35 years) accessing a six-week residential treatment program for substance use. Participants received standard treatment, or standard treatment plus Grit (two sessions/week for six weeks). The primary outcome was substance use, measured as: (i) global substance use and (ii) alcohol, methamphetamine, and cannabis use involvement. Secondary outcomes included wellbeing, depression, anxiety, and vocational engagement. Participants were assessed at baseline, and 6-weeks (secondary outcomes only), 3-months, 6-months, and 12-months post-program enrolment. Results revealed that both groups showed a significant improvement in all outcomes at three months, and improvements were maintained at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. The Grit group had a larger reduction in methamphetamine and cannabis use involvement compared to the control group. This study presents promising evidence that a six-week residential program can achieve improvements in AOD use, depression, anxiety, wellbeing and vocational engagement. Further, targeting self-regulation may enhance such programs.

Keywords: drugs; self-regulation; substance abuse; treatment; wellbeing; youth.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Anxiety / therapy
Cannabis*
Female
Humans
Male
Methamphetamine*
Residential Treatment
Self-Control*
Substance-Related Disorders* / therapy

Substances

Methamphetamine

Grants and funding

C.A.Q., D.d.A. and Z.C.W.’s research fellow positions were funded through an industry partnership between The University of Queensland and Lives Lived Well. L.H. was funded by a National Health and Medical Research Council Senior Research Fellowship (APP1119098) and an industry-supported Lives Lived Well Chair in Alcohol, Drugs and Mental Health. This project was funded through the Commonwealth Department of Health research grant awarded to the Centre for Youth Substance Abuse.