Tailored Teen Alcohol and Violence Prevention in the Emergency Room, 2006-2009 [Flint, Michigan]

The Tailored Teen Alcohol and Violence Prevention in the Emergency Room survey screened 3,338 adolescents in an urban emergency department (ED) over a 30-month collection period. Eligible adolescents who self-reported alcohol misuse and violence were asked to participate in a longitudinal study to assess the efficacy of various brief interventions (BIs) at reducing peer violence, victimization, and substance abuse.
Patients aged 14 to 18 years who presented for medical illness or injury were eligible for screening (see Sampling exclusions). Recruitment occurred between 12pm and 11pm, 7 days a week (September 2006-September 2009), excluding major holidays. Adolescent patients identified from electronic logs were approached by research assistants in waiting rooms or treatment spaces. Following obtainment of written consent (and assent and parent/guardian consent if under 18 years of age), participants self-administered a 15-minute computerized survey with audio. After completing the survey, participants reporting both past-year aggression (peer, dating, weapon carriage/use) and alcohol consumption were eligible to enroll in the longitudinal study. Participants reporting only 1 behavior (aggression or alcohol use) were not eligible.
Following obtainment of written consent (and assent and parent/guardian consent if under 18 years of age) for the longitudinal study, participants self-administered a computerized baseline assessment. Participants were informed that they would be randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: computer session, counselor session, or brochure. Participants were blinded to condition assignment until after the baseline assessment. After the baseline, participants were randomized and received the therapist brief intervention, computer brief intervention, or control brochure during the ED visit.