ACT Enhanced Parenting Intervention to PromoteACT Enhanced Parenting Intervention to PromoteAt-Risk Adolescents’ School EngagementAt-Risk Adolescents’ School Engagement

Larry Dumka, Ph.D.Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

Association for Contextual Behavioral Science World Conference 12

June 19-22 - Minneapolis, MN

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Co-Investigators Nancy Gonzales, Anne Mauricio, our research team staff and RAs

U.S. National Institute for Mental Health

Families who participated

Social ProblemSocial Problem

School disengagement during transition to middle school

Ensuing mental health problems

• Universal family level intervention

• 3 components• Parent training • Adolescent goal setting and

coping • Family interaction session

• 9 after-school sessions + 2 home visits

• RCT focused on low-income Mexican American families

Decreased externalizing and internalizing symptoms in middle and high school; decreased mental disorder diagnoses in late adolescence

Delayed substance use in middle school; decreased binge drinking in late adolescence; decreased alcohol and substance abuse disorder in emerging adulthood

Higher grades in middle school; decreased high school dropout

Mediation analyses identified core components

*Gonzales, Dumka et al. (2011) Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology; Gonzales et al. (2014) Prevention Science; Jensen et al. (2014) Journal of Child Clinical and Adolescent Psychology

Results from Randomized Control Trial and Follow-up*Results from Randomized Control Trial and Follow-up*

ChallengeChallenge

Increase uptake of intervention

• Redesign to optimize Bridges

• Reduce resource cost - shorten to 4 sessions with technological augmentation

• Increase impact - emphasize parent and teen self-regulation (psychological flexibility)

BRIDGES Strengthens

Competencies during Middle Sch

1.Effective Parenting

2.Youth Coping

3.School Engagement

4.Family Relations

Reduces Risky Middle School

Outcomes

Risk TakingSubstance useDeviant peers

Early Sex initiation

Mental Health SymptomsExternalizingInternalizing

School Disengagement

Prevents Problems in Late

Adolescence & Young Adulthood

Alcohol abuse disorder

Substance abuse disorder

Mental disorders

Risky sexual behavior

School dropout

Theory of Intervention

SELF REGULATIONSELF REGULATIONTo impact interrelated cognitive, emotional, To impact interrelated cognitive, emotional,

biological interactional systemsbiological interactional systems

Question?Question?

What are the core parenting skills that are needed to support adolescents’ school engagement and prosocial development?

ParentingParenting Component - Skills Targeted Component - Skills Targeted1. CONNECT (positive reinforcement, effective

listening)

2. WATCH (monitor teen’s social contexts, school engagement)

3. LIMIT (opportunities for risky and antisocial behavior; structure prosocial behavior)

4. CONTAIN CONFLICT

What’s different when children become teens?

ACT Enhancements to BridgesACT Enhancements to Bridges

Values, Committed Action– Own that this is critical time and they matter– Guided imagining re: desired parenting legacy – Set change goals re: CONNECT, WATCH, LIMIT– Home practice commitments

Present Moment, Self as Context– Breath focus

Acceptance, Defusion– Avoiding controlling communication– Supporting teen flexibility (problem solving) – Non reactivity to teen negative behavior and provocation

Breath FocusBreath FocusProvided rationaleBreath focus practice (3-4 min; 1-2

times/session) with reflection on:– Desired legacy with teen– How teen sees you now– Experiences of receiving appreciation– Non acceptance of teen, controlling– Observing self (self-as-context)– When anger is present– On using core skills

Questions for youQuestions for you

Given what you know about ACT and parenting adolescents, what else would you recommend to ACT enhance a 4 session Bridges program?

1.What rationale would you use to motivate present moment/mindfulness practice?

2.What would you do to optimize committed action?