Randomized controlled trial of an online gamified version of the strengthening families program to reduce youth substance abuse

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a new 10-week online gamified version of the strengthening families program (SFP), an evidence-based intervention shown to reduce youth substance use and depression. In this parallel-group randomized controlled trial, participants completed a validated questionnaire, incorporating demographic variables and 44 parent‒youth behaviour items, before randomization to one of two intervention groups or a waitlist control group. The study included 217 parents and 218 youth (79 parents and 81 youth in the SFP online Game group, 56 parents and 56 youth in the SFP Video group, and 82 parents and 81 youth in the control group). The questionnaire captured four key constructs: bonding, boundaries, monitoring, and youth depression. Linear mixed-effects models showed that both the Game and Video conditions (vs. Controls) produced significantly (p < 0.05) better results across the primary constructs at both 10 and 18 weeks.