SOLVE - A game-based intervention for adolescents with an increased risk of substance abuse

Thematic Workshop

In this project psychologists (Catholic University of Applied Sciences North Rhine-Westphalia) and game designers (Technical University Cologne) will develop and evaluate an innovative digital game-based preventive intervention for adolescents with increased risk for substance misuse and dependencies. The development will include participation of professionals from the addiction and youth care system and from psychiatric hospitals as well as affected adolescents. The program aims at preventing and reducing problematic substance use among adolescents at risk for problematic use and dependencies in the age group of 12 – 15 years. In a 3-year study the program will be developed and adapted according to the specific needs of the target group (user-centered design concept) and then tested in the field (n=90). The program will then be evaluated for use and acceptance as well as initial efficacy measures (substance use and attitudes). Essentially, the intervention is designed in a way that preventive content is integrated into the gameplay applying a Stealth Learning approach. Thus, the joy of playing and motivation of the player will be sustained fostering learning processes.