Mindfulness-Based Substance Use Prevention (MINDS-UP)

Mindfulness-Based Substance Use Prevention (MINDS-UP): a Randomized Controlled Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the feasibility, behavioral/neural mechanisms, and preliminary efficacy of "MINDfulness-based Substance Use Prevention Program," or "MINDS-UP", a novel substance use prevention meditation intervention for children and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 14. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. Is MINDS-UP feasible and what is its preliminary efficacy?
2. Are MRI protocol and procedures feasible?

An additional exploratory question is:

Are there neural and psychopathological mechanisms through which MINDS-UP might work?

Researchers will compare Sport - Prevention Plus Wellness (PPW) (an evidence based substance use prevention program) to Sport - Prevention Plus Wellness + MINDS-UP to examine the preliminary efficacy of MINDS-UP.

Participants will

• take assessment #1
• have 2 MRIs and take MINDS-UP, just take MINDS-UP or have a delayed start
• take assessment #2
• take PPW, a single remote and research assistant-delivered 45-minute session
• take assessment #3
• take assessment #4

Inclusion Criteria:

• Youth is ages 10-14 years on the day of screening [i.e., does not turn 15 before or on the day of screening]
• Access to a smart phone, tablet, or computer with Wi-Fi
• English-speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

• Has been diagnosed with or received treatment for one of the following mental health problems: depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, or substance use disorder.
• Youth is actively involved in another Boricua Youth Study (BYS)
• Youth's sibling is or has previously been enrolled in MINDS-UP.