Suzanne Archie1, Manuela Ferrari2, Peter Bzonek3; 1McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada, 2Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Canada, 3Carlisle Medical Centre, Hamilton, Canada
Purpose: To test video games designed to raise awareness of link between weekly marijuana use among youth and psychosis. The Back to Reality Series (the Series trailer https://vimeo.com/140117271)) represents integrated knowledge translation (iKT) products. The Series was inspired by cannabis research and created by an iKT community of youth, youth with lived experiences, clinicians, researchers, and game designers. Methods: Fifty-five homeless and street-involved youth were interviewed after being randomly assigned in an open trial to play the Series versus a control game. Knowledge about marijuana use, harms, and psychosis was assessed using a quiz- the Psychosis Cannabis Test (PCT). Feedback was qualitatively analyzed for themes regarding gameplay and marijuana use. Results: The mean age for the whole sample was 17. 5 (SD=1.1) with 55% male, 9% gender fluid, and 36% female. Up to 24 % of respondents endorsed past experiences suggestive of psychotic symptoms. The mean PCT score was 5.5 (SD=1.9) for the 25 participants who played the control game and 6.8 (SD=1.6) for the 31 participants randomly assigned to the Series. The Series group obtained significantly greater scores (p< .05) on the PCT compared to the control group, indicating greater knowledge of the risks and harms. Most youth (90%) enjoyed playing the Series versus 75% for the control game. Youth believed the Series was educational and felt they could relate to the protagonist’s experiences. Conclusion: Pilot data provide preliminary evidence that interactive video games can educate youth about the harms associated with marijuana use.
