An e-Parenting Skills Intervention to Decrease Injured Adolescents' Alcohol Use

This study seeks to test the feasibility and acceptability of an e-parenting skills
intervention at three pediatric trauma centers. The investigators will randomize up to 75
dyads of injured adolescents (12-17 years old) who screen positive for alcohol use and their
parent to receive either standard trauma center care (a brief intervention with the
adolescent) or standard trauma center care (a brief intervention with the adolescent) plus an
e-parenting skills intervention consisting of a computerized intervention for parent skill
building, a series of text messages and a web-based message board. The primary aim of this
study is to determine the feasibility and acceptability of conducting the e-parenting
intervention protocol across three pediatric trauma centers in preparation for a larger fully
power trial. The central hypothesis for our future fully powered randomized control trial is
that adolescents whose parents receive the e-parenting skills intervention will decrease
their alcohol use and alcohol-related negative consequences over the 6 months following the
intervention more than adolescents who receive only standard trauma center care. Therefore, a
secondary aim of this proposal is to calculate a preliminary effect size that could be used,
along with other relevant data, such as the acceptability data and findings in the
literature, to calculate sample size in a future fully powered randomized control trial. The
investigators will also examine adolescent's conjoint use of marijuana. This project advances
translational research in collecting preliminary data on an e-parenting skills intervention
that can be easily adopted with high fidelity across pediatric trauma centers. Its findings
have the potential to directly impact best clinical practices for intervening with alcohol
using injured adolescents

Inclusion Criteria:

- adolescents, age 12-17, admitted to the trauma service

- medically stable

- a positive CRAFFT screen or lab screen for alcohol use or drug use

- ability to assent to study and have one parent consent

- adolescent and parent are English speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

- the adolescent is cognitively or emotionally unable to participate as determined by a
trauma clinician

- the adolescent is suspected by the clinical staff of being a victim of child abuse
(and referred to child protective services)

- the adolescent is being evaluated following a suicide attempt

- prior to admission, the adolescent is being treated for an alcohol or drug dependency

- adolescent is currently incarcerated