Process variables predicting changes in adolescent alcohol consumption and mental health symptoms following personality-targeted interventions

Objective: This study aims to identify key process variables that are associated with changes in alcohol consumption and mental health symptoms over 12 months following personality-targeted interventions in youth. Method: 154 high-risk youth (aged 12-13 years) in 7 Montreal high schools were identified using the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale and participated in personality-matched interventions. Preliminary process variables were identified using a combination of psychotherapy process variables and youth-generated (qualitative) feedback immediately post-intervention. Results: Learning, skill development and a positive group experience were key to positive behavioural change. Youth-generated feedback independently accounted for 12-25% of the variance in the change in alcohol use and mental health symptoms over 12 months. Changes in cognitive distortions and self-esteem accounted for somewhat less of the variance in alcohol use (0-9%), but a moderate-to-large portion of the variance in changes in mental health symptoms (up to 44%). Conclusions: The study findings highlight candidate process variables relevant to future implementations of this program that might inform change processes relevant to brief interventions with youth more generally. This study suggests that youth experiences can indicate proximal measures of program efficacy, and has implications for the dissemination of this brief intervention program.