Skip to content

Social Workers' Attitudes and Beliefs about MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Adolescents with PTSD.

Maha N. Mian, Jordan Horan, Taweh Hunter, Alan K. Davis, Stacey B. Armstrong

Social Work April 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1093/sw/swaf005 (opens in new tab)

Read Full Text
Relevant Not relevant

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 222
Population Social workers
Interventions MDMA-assisted therapy selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-assisted therapy
Topics MDMA PTSD
Keywords Adolescents Psychedelics Mental health treatment Psychedelic Therapy MDMA Adolescent psychiatry teens Youth Young adults Trauma Ssris selective
Citations 1
Key findings Social workers rated SSRI-assisted therapy as significantly more acceptable, appropriate, and feasible than MDMA-assisted therapy for treating adolescent treatment-resistant PTSD.

Abstract

Given the widespread interest and ongoing study on MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) for PTSD, its implications for unique populations-such as adolescents-require further understanding. Social workers will likely play a crucial role in the potential implementation of this intervention, but their perspectives remain unknown. The study includes 222 social workers randomized to read one of two vignettes about MDMA-AT or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-assisted therapy (SSRI-AT) for treating adolescent treatment-resistant PTSD. Participants rated each treatment's acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility, followed by drug stigma, perceptions of drug risk, and psychedelic knowledge. Participants in the SSRI-AT condition reported significantly higher mean ratings of treatment acceptability (p < .001; d = .72), appropriateness (p < .001; d = .72), and feasibility (p < .001; d =. 64). In the MDMA-AT condition, perceptions of MDMA risk were greater (p < .001; d = .59) and psychedelic stigma positively correlated with perceived risk of MDMA (r = .46, p < .001). Moreover, greater psychedelic knowledge was significantly related to less stigma (r = -.33, p < .001) and less perceived risk of MDMA (r = -.21, p < .001). Concerns among social workers about the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of MDMA-AT for adolescents with PTSD may limit clinical trial recruitment, engagement, and future implementation.

Comparable studies

Other randomized controlled trials on MDMA for PTSD, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study. Patients with severe PTSD, including those with comorbidities such as dissociation,... 2021 Randomized controlled trial n = 90
The safety and efficacy of {+/-}3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy in subjects with chronic, treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder: the first randomized controlled pilot study. Patients with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder refractory to both psychotherapy... 2010 Randomized controlled trial n = 20
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans, firefighters, and police officers: a randomised, double-blind, dose-response, phase 2 clinical trial. Military veterans and first responders aged 18 or older with chronic PTSD lasting 6... 2018 Randomized, double-blind, dose-response, phase 2 clinical trial n = 26
A randomized, controlled pilot study of MDMA (±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine)-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of resistant, chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Patients with treatment-resistant PTSD 2012 Randomized controlled trial n = 12
MDMA-assisted therapy for moderate to severe PTSD: a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Adults with moderate to severe post-traumatic stress disorder 2023 Randomized controlled trial n = 104

Citations in the library

Cited by 1

Cites 10

and 5 more in the library

Related reading

Explore topics

MDMA PTSD Psychedelic-assisted therapy Serotonin

By condition and practice

MDMA for PTSD