TY - JOUR
T1 - SMART Family and Friends
T2 - Feasibility and outcomes of a video-conference delivered intervention for families impacted by another's methamphetamine use
AU - Rushton, Clare M.
AU - Kelly, Peter J.
AU - Thomas, Tamsin
AU - Beck, Alison K.
AU - Townsend, Camilla
AU - Baker, Amanda L.
AU - Manning, Victoria
AU - Argent, Angela
AU - Deane, Frank P.
AU - Hides, Leanne
AU - Hitsman, Brian
AU - Velleman, Richard
AU - Velleman, Gill
AU - Larance, Briony
PY - 2024/6/30
Y1 - 2024/6/30
N2 - Introduction: Families affected by another's substance use, including methamphetamine, experience harms to their mental and physical health. Yet, research has paid little attention to support and service needs of this population. This pilot study examines the feasibility and outcomes of SMART Family and Friends, a video-conference-delivered mutual-support group targeting families affected by another's methamphetamine use. Methods: Recruitment for this study occurred between March–October 2021 via the SMART Recovery Australia website. Participants were English-speaking Australian residents, ≥18 years, affected by another's methamphetamine use, interested in participating in a manualised eight-module group delivered via video-conferencing. Feasibility was evaluated by attendance rates, participant satisfaction, fidelity ratings, and semi-structured interviews. Measures of distress, quality of life, and family functioning assessed outcomes at baseline and one-month post-treatment conclusion. Results: Forty-three participants commenced SMART Family and Friends groups. 84 % (n = 36) completed ≥4 modules, 67 % (n = 29) completed ≥6, and 42 % (n = 18) completed all 8 modules. Participant satisfaction (M = 4.32, SD = 0.66, out of 5) and facilitator fidelity (>94 % for all modules) were high. A within-group analysis, without comparison condition demonstrated significant improvements in psychological distress (d = 0.38), family impact (d = 0.64), family strain symptoms (d = 0.48), and total family burden (d = 0.69) post-treatment. Qualitative findings illustrated the benefits and challenges of the video-conference-delivered group, as well as recommendations for improvement. Conclusions: Results provide initial support for the feasibility and positive outcomes of the SMART Family and Friends program. These findings demonstrate the successful provision of a mutual-support group for affected families delivered via video-conferencing, and merit further sufficiently powered randomised-control-trials to evaluate efficacy.
AB - Introduction: Families affected by another's substance use, including methamphetamine, experience harms to their mental and physical health. Yet, research has paid little attention to support and service needs of this population. This pilot study examines the feasibility and outcomes of SMART Family and Friends, a video-conference-delivered mutual-support group targeting families affected by another's methamphetamine use. Methods: Recruitment for this study occurred between March–October 2021 via the SMART Recovery Australia website. Participants were English-speaking Australian residents, ≥18 years, affected by another's methamphetamine use, interested in participating in a manualised eight-module group delivered via video-conferencing. Feasibility was evaluated by attendance rates, participant satisfaction, fidelity ratings, and semi-structured interviews. Measures of distress, quality of life, and family functioning assessed outcomes at baseline and one-month post-treatment conclusion. Results: Forty-three participants commenced SMART Family and Friends groups. 84 % (n = 36) completed ≥4 modules, 67 % (n = 29) completed ≥6, and 42 % (n = 18) completed all 8 modules. Participant satisfaction (M = 4.32, SD = 0.66, out of 5) and facilitator fidelity (>94 % for all modules) were high. A within-group analysis, without comparison condition demonstrated significant improvements in psychological distress (d = 0.38), family impact (d = 0.64), family strain symptoms (d = 0.48), and total family burden (d = 0.69) post-treatment. Qualitative findings illustrated the benefits and challenges of the video-conference-delivered group, as well as recommendations for improvement. Conclusions: Results provide initial support for the feasibility and positive outcomes of the SMART Family and Friends program. These findings demonstrate the successful provision of a mutual-support group for affected families delivered via video-conferencing, and merit further sufficiently powered randomised-control-trials to evaluate efficacy.
KW - Addiction
KW - Family
KW - Methamphetamine
KW - SMART recovery
KW - Substance use
KW - Video-conferencing
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85204547958&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.josat.2024.209355
DO - 10.1016/j.josat.2024.209355
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85204547958
SN - 2949-8767
VL - 161
JO - Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment
JF - Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment
M1 - 209355
ER -
