Brief Prevention for Adolescent Risk-taking Behavior

• NCJ Number: 195259
• Journal: Addiction Volume: 97 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2002 Pages: 563-574
• Author(s): Elizabeth J. D'Amico; Kim Fromme
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 12 pages
• Grant Number(s): R29-AA09135; 5T32-AA07471
• Sponsoring Agency: Hogg Foundation; US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This study compared the effectiveness of an abbreviated version of Drug Abuse and Resistance Education (DARE-A) with a new Risk Skills Training Program (RSTP) in decreasing adolescent risk-taking behavior (substance abuse and driving after drinking).

Abstract

Adolescent participation in drinking, drug use, driving after drinking (DD), and riding with a drunk driver was examined longitudinally. After baseline assessments, adolescents were randomly assigned to the RSTP, DARE-A, or a no-intervention control group. A 2-month posttest and 6-month follow-up assessments were conducted. The sample (n=300), which attended a mid-sized suburban high school, was composed of 58 percent females; the age range was 14-19 years. The RSTP was developed to target several risk behaviors and to examine the feasibility of conducting a brief personalized prevention program in a group setting. It consisted of one 50-minute interactive group session, whose focus was on negotiation and acceptance, along with helping youth to change their risk-taking behavior. DARE-A was led by a certified DARE instructor and took approximately 50 minutes. In contrast to the RSTP, the DARE-A program focused on increasing knowledge and understanding of the deleterious effects of substance use. The assessments of the two programs measured risk-taking behavior, perception of peer risk-taking, and positive and negative alcohol expectations. The study found that RSTP participants decreased participation in several risk-taking behaviors at posttest, but reductions were not maintained at 6-month follow-up. The control and DARE-A groups increased their positive and decreased their negative alcohol expectations. The control group increased alcohol consumption. These results suggest that a brief, personalized, group prevention program is a feasible approach for reducing adolescent risk-taking; however, strategies must be developed to ensure that positive changes are maintained over the long term. 1 figure, 1 table, and 47 references