Helping families support young adults with psychosis to reduce cannabis use
Official title: Talking about Cannabis: Developing an Intervention for Family Members of Young Adults with FEP to Support Reduced Cannabis Use
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10951129 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a program to help family members support young adults dealing with psychosis by teaching them how to talk about reducing cannabis use in a positive way, making it easier for everyone to communicate and work together on the road to recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | August 27, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $187,635 |
| NIH project number | 1R34MH133684-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10951129 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young adults aged 18-35 who are experiencing psychosis and have a history of heavy cannabis use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use cannabis or are not experiencing psychosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop an intervention that equips family members of young adults experiencing psychosis with skills to encourage reduced cannabis use. The approach involves creating a program called Cannabis Conversation Skills for Families (CCSF), which will incorporate techniques from motivational interviewing and psychoeducation about the risks of cannabis on mental health. By focusing on family dynamics and communication, the intervention seeks to minimize conflict and enhance support for young adults in their recovery journey. The study will begin with the development of intervention materials based on insights gathered from focus groups.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health outcomes for young adults with psychosis by reducing their cannabis use.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited research specifically targeting cannabis use in young adults with psychosis, similar interventions focusing on family involvement have shown promise in other contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Walker, Denise D — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Walker, Denise D
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.