Trial Outcomes & Findings for Increasing Caregiver Engagement in Juvenile Drug Courts (NCT NCT03051997)

Results Overview

This measure reflects the number of positive urine drug screens for THC, amphetamines, methamphetamines, opiates, cocaine, benzodiazepines, MDMA, and oxycodone collected from youth participants. Assessed at baseline and 5 months; data reported for 5-month time point

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

53 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Baseline to 5 months

Results posted on

2025-12-08

Participant Flow

This study enrolled adolescent-caregiver dyads. The reported enrollment (n=53) reflects dyads. Outcome and adverse event data were collected only for adolescents unless otherwise noted. Counts represent dyads. Individual counts for adolescents and caregivers were not separately tracked for milestones.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure	Caregiver Contingency Management + Usual Drug Court Treatment This group will receive a caregiver contingency management intervention plus the standard outpatient substance abuse treatment services provided at JDC. Caregiver Contingency Management + Usual Drug Court Treatment: In addition to receiving JDC treatment as usual described below, caregiver participants will receive prize draws for engaging in activities consistent with their adolescents' successful completion of the JDC program during the time the youth is actively involved in JDC and substance abuse treatment. Specific activities that may be reinforced include: attendance at drug court hearings; accompanying the youth to probation meetings; participating in home visits; attendance at the youth's drug treatment sessions; attendance at mental health provider meetings; attending groups for parents of youth with substance abuse issues; and completing other verifiable treatment-related activities. All activities will meet the goals of (directly or indirectly) enhancing caregiver participation in the JDC and/or treatment process. Caregivers will receive escalating chances for tangible reinforcers each week for completing up to 3 of the activities agreed upon by the caregiver and the therapist.	Usual Drug Court Treatment This group will receive the standard outpatient substance abuse treatment services provided at JDC. Usual Drug Court Treatment: Standard outpatient substance abuse treatment services that a young person would receive while participating in JDC.
Overall Study STARTED	32	21
Overall Study COMPLETED	32	21
Overall Study NOT COMPLETED	0	0

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Increasing Caregiver Engagement in Juvenile Drug Courts

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure	Caregiver Contingency Management + Usual Drug Court Treatment (Adolescents) n=32 Participants This group will receive a caregiver contingency management intervention plus the standard outpatient substance abuse treatment services provided at JDC. Baseline Measures is for the adolescent participants	Usual Drug Court Treatment (Adolescents) n=21 Participants This group will receive the standard outpatient substance abuse treatment services provided at JDC. Baseline Measures is for the adolescent participants	Total n=53 Participants Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous	15.46 Years STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.40 • n=9 Participants	15.46 Years STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.40 • n=6 Participants	15.46 Years STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.40 • n=9 Participants
Sex: Female, Male Female	11 Participants n=9 Participants	3 Participants n=6 Participants	14 Participants n=9 Participants
Sex: Female, Male Male	21 Participants n=9 Participants	18 Participants n=6 Participants	39 Participants n=9 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) American Indian or Alaska Native	1 Participants n=9 Participants	1 Participants n=6 Participants	2 Participants n=9 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) Asian	0 Participants n=9 Participants	0 Participants n=6 Participants	0 Participants n=9 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander	1 Participants n=9 Participants	0 Participants n=6 Participants	1 Participants n=9 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) Black or African American	11 Participants n=9 Participants	5 Participants n=6 Participants	16 Participants n=9 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) White	17 Participants n=9 Participants	10 Participants n=6 Participants	27 Participants n=9 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) More than one race	0 Participants n=9 Participants	0 Participants n=6 Participants	0 Participants n=9 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) Unknown or Not Reported	2 Participants n=9 Participants	5 Participants n=6 Participants	7 Participants n=9 Participants
Region of Enrollment United States	32 participants n=9 Participants	21 participants n=6 Participants	31 participants n=9 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to 5 months

This measure reflects the number of positive urine drug screens for THC, amphetamines, methamphetamines, opiates, cocaine, benzodiazepines, MDMA, and oxycodone collected from youth participants. Assessed at baseline and 5 months; data reported for 5-month time point

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Caregiver Contingency Management + Usual Drug Court Treatment n=18 Participants This group will receive a caregiver contingency management intervention plus the standard outpatient substance abuse treatment services provided at JDC. Caregiver Contingency Management + Usual Drug Court Treatment: In addition to receiving JDC treatment as usual described below, caregiver participants will receive prize draws for engaging in activities consistent with their adolescents' successful completion of the JDC program during the time the youth is actively involved in JDC and substance abuse treatment. Specific activities that may be reinforced include: attendance at drug court hearings; accompanying the youth to probation meetings; participating in home visits; attendance at the youth's drug treatment sessions; attendance at mental health provider meetings; attending groups for parents of youth with substance abuse issues; and completing other verifiable treatment-related activities. All activities will meet the goals of (directly or indirectly) enhancing caregiver participation in the JDC and/or treatment process. Caregivers will receive escalating chances for tangible reinforcers each week for completing up to 3 of the activities agreed upon by the caregiver and the therapist.	Usual Drug Court Treatment n=13 Participants This group will receive the standard outpatient substance abuse treatment services provided at JDC. Usual Drug Court Treatment: Standard outpatient substance abuse treatment services that a young person would receive while participating in JDC.
Number of Participants With Positive Urine Drug Screens at 5 Months Post-baseline	18 participants	13 participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, 5 months

The GAIN Substance Frequency Scale assesses frequency of substance use over the past 90 days. Scores range from 0 (no use) to 90 (daily use). Higher scores indicate greater substance use severity.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Caregiver Contingency Management + Usual Drug Court Treatment n=18 Participants This group will receive a caregiver contingency management intervention plus the standard outpatient substance abuse treatment services provided at JDC. Caregiver Contingency Management + Usual Drug Court Treatment: In addition to receiving JDC treatment as usual described below, caregiver participants will receive prize draws for engaging in activities consistent with their adolescents' successful completion of the JDC program during the time the youth is actively involved in JDC and substance abuse treatment. Specific activities that may be reinforced include: attendance at drug court hearings; accompanying the youth to probation meetings; participating in home visits; attendance at the youth's drug treatment sessions; attendance at mental health provider meetings; attending groups for parents of youth with substance abuse issues; and completing other verifiable treatment-related activities. All activities will meet the goals of (directly or indirectly) enhancing caregiver participation in the JDC and/or treatment process. Caregivers will receive escalating chances for tangible reinforcers each week for completing up to 3 of the activities agreed upon by the caregiver and the therapist.	Usual Drug Court Treatment n=13 Participants This group will receive the standard outpatient substance abuse treatment services provided at JDC. Usual Drug Court Treatment: Standard outpatient substance abuse treatment services that a young person would receive while participating in JDC.
Frequency of Substance Use and Substance-related Problems Self-reported by Youth on the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs. Baseline - Days drunk or high whole day	2.56 score on a scale Standard Deviation 6.0	8.03 score on a scale Standard Deviation 10.3
Frequency of Substance Use and Substance-related Problems Self-reported by Youth on the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs. Baseline - Days of marijuana use	4.26 score on a scale Standard Deviation 9.3	12.69 score on a scale Standard Deviation 13.3
Frequency of Substance Use and Substance-related Problems Self-reported by Youth on the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs. Baseline - Days of alcohol use	0.63 score on a scale Standard Deviation 1.63	2.85 score on a scale Standard Deviation 4.8
Frequency of Substance Use and Substance-related Problems Self-reported by Youth on the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs. Month 5 - Days drunk or high whole day	0.72 score on a scale Standard Deviation 2.4	4.08 score on a scale Standard Deviation 7.6
Frequency of Substance Use and Substance-related Problems Self-reported by Youth on the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs. Month 5 - Days of marijuana use	1.11 score on a scale Standard Deviation 3.2	4.54 score on a scale Standard Deviation 8.4
Frequency of Substance Use and Substance-related Problems Self-reported by Youth on the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs. Month 5 - Days of alcohol use	0.63 score on a scale Standard Deviation 1.8	1.46 score on a scale Standard Deviation 2.3

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to 18 months

Number of youth arrests, charges, and convictions measured via official arrest records.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to 18 months

Frequency of delinquent behaviors self-reported by youth using the Self-Report Delinquency Scale.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to 18 months

Frequency of youth's internalizing symptoms and externalizing behaviors measured with the Child Behavior Checklist (caregiver report).

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to 18 months

Frequency of youth's internalizing symptoms and externalizing behaviors measured with the Brief Problem Checklist (youth report).

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline through treatment completion, an average of 4 months

Frequency and severity of substance use problems self-reported by caregivers on the Addiction Severity Index.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline through treatment completion, an average of 4 months

Frequency and severity of depressive symptoms self-reported by caregivers on the Beck Depression Inventory.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline through treatment completion, an average of 4 months

Levels of alliance during treatment reported by therapists, caregivers, and youth on the Working Alliance Inventory.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline through treatment completion, an average of 4 months

Frequency of caregiver attendance at their youth's substance use treatment sessions and completion of therapeutic activities reported by therapists on the Session Tracking Sheet.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline through the end of JDC involvement, an average of 12 months

Frequency of caregiver attendance at their youth's JDC sessions reported by JDC personnel on the JDC Attendance Form.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Up to 4 months on average

Rates of youth treatment completion reported by therapists using the Treatment Termination Form.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Up to 4 months on average

Levels of satisfaction with substance use treatment and JDC reported by caregivers and youth on the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline through treatment completion, an average of 4 months

Ratings by caregivers on perceptions of incentive-based interventions as measured by the Provider Survey of Incentives.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to 36 months

Ratings by therapists and JDC personnel on perceptions of incentive-based interventions as measured by the Provider Survey of Incentives.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Up to 4 months on average

Youth and caregiver attitudes toward incentive programs as measured during qualitative interviews.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to 36 months

Therapist and JDC personnel attitudes toward incentive programs as measured during qualitative interviews.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

Adverse Events

Caregiver Contingency Management + Usual Drug Court Treatment (Adolescents)

Serious events: 3 serious events

Other events: 1 other events

Deaths: 0 deaths

Usual Drug Court Treatment (Adolescents)

Serious events: 3 serious events

Other events: 0 other events

Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Serious adverse events
Measure	Caregiver Contingency Management + Usual Drug Court Treatment (Adolescents) n=32 participants at risk This group will receive a caregiver contingency management intervention plus the standard outpatient substance abuse treatment services provided at JDC. Adverse Measures are for the adolescent participants	Usual Drug Court Treatment (Adolescents) n=21 participants at risk This group will receive the standard outpatient substance abuse treatment services provided at JDC. Adverse Measures are for the adolescent participants
Psychiatric disorders Suicide attempt	9.4% 3/32 • Number of events 3 • Five months Adverse event data were collected only for adolescent participants. No adverse event data were collected for caregivers.	14.3% 3/21 • Number of events 3 • Five months Adverse event data were collected only for adolescent participants. No adverse event data were collected for caregivers.

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure	Caregiver Contingency Management + Usual Drug Court Treatment (Adolescents) n=32 participants at risk This group will receive a caregiver contingency management intervention plus the standard outpatient substance abuse treatment services provided at JDC. Adverse Measures are for the adolescent participants	Usual Drug Court Treatment (Adolescents) n=21 participants at risk This group will receive the standard outpatient substance abuse treatment services provided at JDC. Adverse Measures are for the adolescent participants
Social circumstances Emotional distress about prizes	3.1% 1/32 • Number of events 1 • Five months Adverse event data were collected only for adolescent participants. No adverse event data were collected for caregivers.	0.00% 0/21 • Five months Adverse event data were collected only for adolescent participants. No adverse event data were collected for caregivers.

Additional Information

Professor

Medcial University of South Carolina

Phone: 843-876-1840

Email: [email protected]

Results disclosure agreements

Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
Publication restrictions are in place