Designing Deaf-MET: A Deaf-Accessible Pre-Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
University of Massachusetts, Worcester
Summary
This pilot study will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an adaptation of Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) titled "DeafMET", intended for Deaf adults with high-risk alcohol use. In this single intervention cycle, 10 Deaf participants will receive the DeafMET intervention delivered either in-person or via telehealth. Primary outcomes include change in participants' stage of change regarding alcohol use and measures of recruitment, retention, satisfaction, and adherence. Findings will inform further refinement of the intervention and planning for future research.
Description
This study will conduct the first clinical pilot of DeafMET, a Deaf-accessible adaptation of Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) for alcohol use disorder (AUD) in Deaf adults. The U.S. Deaf community-over one million Americans who use American Sign Language (ASL)-experiences disproportionate rates of high-risk alcohol use and barriers to behavioral health care. Studies indicate that Deaf adults face significantly higher rates of lifetime problem drinking and are less likely to access evidence-based AUD treatment compared to their hearing peers. Unique challenges, such as limited English lit…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * self-identification as a Deaf ASL user * age 18+ * ability to access Zoom for screening, intervention delivery, and repeated assessment procedures * problematic alcohol consumption, drinking behaviors, and alcohol-related problems" as identified by the AUD Identification Test (AUDIT), past-month referent time period: score at least 8 for men or at least 6 for women Exclusion Criteria: * Incapacity to consent due to guardianship or conservatorship
Interventions
- BehavioralDeaf-MET
Deaf-MET is a culturally and linguistically accessible adaptation of Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) for Deaf adults with high-risk alcohol use
Location
- UMass ChanShrewsbury, Massachusetts