Building Social and Structural Connections for the Prevention of Opioid Use Disorder Among Youth Experiencing Homelessness

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Opioid Use Disorder, Dual Diagnosis, Housing Problems, Mental Disorder in Adolescence, Risk Behavior, Homelessness

In brief

Homelessness severely affects health and well-being and is particularly negative for youth. Between 70-95% of youth experiencing homelessness (YEH) report problem substance use and 66-89% have a mental health disorder. Youth appear to be at greater risk for living on the streets or being homeless than adults and are more vulnerable to long term consequences of homelessness. Multiple social determinants of health (SDOH) are uniquely associated with homelessness, driving substance use and adverse mental health consequences. However, limited research has identified pragmatic interventions that have a long-term ameliorating impact on the complex, multi-symptomatic issues among these youth. This study overcomes prior gaps in research through testing a multi-component comprehensive prevention intervention targeting SDOH that may affect biopsychosocial health indicators and longer-term health outcomes. In partnership with a drop-in center for YEH, youth between the ages of 14 to 24 years, will be engaged and randomly assigned to conditions using a dismantling design so that essential intervention components can be efficiently identified. In particular, youth (N = 300) will be randomly assigned to a) Motivational Interviewing/Community Reinforcement Approach + Services as Usual (MI/CRA + SAU, n = 80), b) Strengths-Based Outreach and Advocacy + Services As Usual (SBOA + SAU, n = 80), c) MI/CRA + SBOA + SAU (n = 80) or d) SAU (n=60) through the drop-in center. In order to assess the longer-term prevention effects on substance use, mental health and other outcomes, all youth will be assessed at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24-months post-baseline. The primary goal of this study is to establish the impact of a comprehensive intervention embedded within a system that serves YEH, a community drop-in center, on youth's opioid misuse and disorder, other substance misuse and disorders, mental health diagnoses, and other targeted outcomes. This study will offer unique information on the physiological and psychological stress pathways underlying change for specific subgroups of youth along with cost estimates to inform future implementation efforts in drop-in centers around the country.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06311838

Run by

Ohio State University

People needed

300

Starts

2024-05-06

Expected to finish

2029-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2025-09-22

Who can join

Age: 14 and older, up to 24. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Youth must meet the criteria for homelessness as defined by the McKinney-Vento Act: children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; or live in a welfare hotel, or place without regular sleeping accommodations, or live in a shared residence with other persons due to the loss of one's housing or economic hardship
• Must speak english adequately to complete measures

You may not qualify if…

• Youth who have a stable housing situation.
• Non-English speaker

Where it is running

• Star House — Columbus, Ohio, United States (enrolling)
• Ohio State University — Columbus, Ohio, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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