University of Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Emergency Department Brief Intervention (Project Sync)

This Emergency Department (ED) based study will test the effectiveness of a tailored therapist delivered motivational interviewing intervention, and an informational pamphlet control condition (IC) on reducing violence in 14-20 year olds who present to the Hurley Medical Center (HMC). Eligible adolescents at the Hurley Medical Center (HMC) emergency department (ED) (based on eligibility criteria) will complete a computerized online survey. The goal of the intervention was to examine ways to reduce and prevention youth violence using techniques to change behavior in a respectful, non-confrontational, and non-judgmental manner. This one-on one counseling approach emphasizes individual choice and responsibility and differentiates between future goals/values and current behavior. At 2-months following their ED visit, eligible adolescents (both from the intervention group and control group) will meet with a research assistant and self-administer an online computerized follow-up survey. An online survey tool will be used for baseline, follow up and post-test surveys. Participants will self-administer the survey at the time of follow up, post-test and baseline.

Inclusion criteria

• adolescents (ages 14-20) presenting to the Hurley Medical Center for a medical injury or illness (except exclusions noted below);
• adolescents will the ability to provide informed assent/consent depending on age;
• access to a parent or guardian in person or by telephone for parental consent for adolescents ages 14-17 (over 90% of adolescents had a parent/guardian present based on our prior work);
• currently residing in the intervention or control area;

Exclusion criteria

• adolescents who do not understand English;
• prisoners;
• adolescents with abnormal vital signs;
• adolescents deemed unable to provide informed consent by Emergency Department or research staff (e.g., intoxication, mental incompetence);
• adolescents treated in the Emergency Department for suicide attempts or sexual assault (because they present in high psychological distress requiring intensive attention and intervention by Emergency Department staff).