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Effects of an App-Based Intervention Program to Reduce Substance Use, Gambling, and Digital Media Use in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Multicenter, Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial in Vocational Schools in Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Benjamin Pietsch

    (IFT-Nord Institute for Therapy and Health Research, 24114 Kiel, Germany)

  • Nicolas Arnaud

    (German Centre for Addiction Research in Childhood and Adolescence, University Medical Centre, Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Kirsten Lochbühler

    (IFT Institut für Therapieforschung, 80804 Munich, Germany)

  • Monika Rossa

    (IFT Institut für Therapieforschung, 80804 Munich, Germany)

  • Ludwig Kraus

    (IFT Institut für Therapieforschung, 80804 Munich, Germany
    Department of Public Health Sciences, Centre for Social Research on Alcohol and Drugs, Stockholm University, 11419 Stockholm, Sweden
    Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 1053 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Elena Gomes de Matos

    (IFT Institut für Therapieforschung, 80804 Munich, Germany)

  • Kristin Grahlher

    (German Centre for Addiction Research in Childhood and Adolescence, University Medical Centre, Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Rainer Thomasius

    (German Centre for Addiction Research in Childhood and Adolescence, University Medical Centre, Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Reiner Hanewinkel

    (IFT-Nord Institute for Therapy and Health Research, 24114 Kiel, Germany
    Institute for Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), 24105 Kiel, Germany)

  • Matthis Morgenstern

    (IFT-Nord Institute for Therapy and Health Research, 24114 Kiel, Germany
    Institute for Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), 24105 Kiel, Germany)

Abstract

Vocational students are a risk group for problematic substance use and addictive behaviors. The study aim was to evaluate the effects of an app-based intervention on tobacco, e-cigarettes, alcohol, and cannabis use as well as gambling and digital media-related behaviors in the vocational school setting. A total of 277 classes with 4591 students (mean age 19.2 years) were consecutively recruited and randomized into an intervention (IG) or waitlist control group (CG). Students from IG classes received access to an app, which encouraged a voluntary commitment to reduce or completely abstain from the use of a specific substance, gambling, or media-related habit for 2 weeks. Substance use, gambling, and digital media use were assessed before and after the intervention in both groups with a mean of 7.7 weeks between assessments. Multi-level logistic regression models were used to test group differences. Intention-to-treat-results indicated that students from IG classes had a significantly larger improvement on a general adverse health behavior measure compared to CG (OR = 1.24, p = 0.010). This difference was mainly due to a significantly higher reduction of students’ social media use in the IG (OR = 1.31, p < 0.001). Results indicate that the app “Meine Zeit ohne” is feasible for the target group and seems to have a small but measurable impact on students’ health behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Benjamin Pietsch & Nicolas Arnaud & Kirsten Lochbühler & Monika Rossa & Ludwig Kraus & Elena Gomes de Matos & Kristin Grahlher & Rainer Thomasius & Reiner Hanewinkel & Matthis Morgenstern, 2023. "Effects of an App-Based Intervention Program to Reduce Substance Use, Gambling, and Digital Media Use in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Multicenter, Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial in Vocational ," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:3:p:1970-:d:1042858
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Pelfrene, Edwin & Vlerick, Peter & Moreau, Michel & Mak, Rudolf P. & Kornitzer, Marcel & Backer, G.D.Guy De, 2004. "Use of benzodiazepine drugs and perceived job stress in a cohort of working men and women in Belgium. Results from the BELSTRESS-study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 59(2), pages 433-442, July.
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