title: Mechanisms of change associated with technology-based interventions for substance use.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Technology-based interventions (TBIs) for substance use disorders have been increasing steadily. The mechanisms by which TBIs produce change in substance use outcomes have not been reviewed. This article is the first review of the conceptual and empirical underpinnings of the mechanisms associated with TBIs for substance use disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  We review the literature on potential mechanisms associated with TBIs targeting tobacco, alcohol, and poly-substance use. We did not identify TBIs targeting other drug classes and that assessed mechanisms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Research suggests that TBIs impact outcomes via similar potential mechanisms as in non-TBIs (e.g., in-person treatment), with the exception of substance use outcomes being associated with changes in the quality of coping skills. The most frequent potential mechanisms detected were self-efficacy for tobacco abstinence and perceived peer drinking for alcohol abstinence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Research on mechanisms associated with TBIs is still in a nascent stage. We provide several recommendations for future work, including broadening the range of mechanisms assessed and increasing the frequency of assessment to detect temporal relations between mechanisms and outcomes. We also discuss unique challenges and opportunities afforded by technology that can advance theory, method, and clinical practice.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Florida, United States. Electronic address: dallery@ufl.edu.
authors: Jesse
authors: J
authors: Dallery
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Florida, United States.
authors: Brantley
authors: B
authors: Jarvis
authors: The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Center for Technology and Health, Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Hanover, NH, United States.
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Marsch
authors: The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Center for Technology and Health, Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Hanover, NH, United States.
authors: Haiyi
authors: H
authors: Xie
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*
keywords: Mechanisms; Substance use; Technology; mHealth