NCJ Number
223817
Journal
Journal of Drug Education Volume: 38 Issue: 1 Dated: 2008 Pages: 39-53
Date Published
2008
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study developed a measure of individual empowerment for use in the evaluation of youth-led tobacco prevention programs in New Mexico.
Abstract
The study found that through the use of regression mediation analysis that active participation mediated the relationship of empowerment efficacy and self-esteem. It was noted that this type of evaluation research as it pertains to the development of assessment instruments that fully capture the facets of empowerment prevention perspectives among youth were sparse. This study used funding from the American Legacy Foundation, the University of New Mexico Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, in partnership with the New Mexico State Department of Health to develop a measure of individual empowerment. Challenges associated with conceptualizing and assessing empowerment among youth were also discussed in the work. Drawing from the various bodies of literature in adolescent development, substance abuse prevention, and program/coalition building, a questionnaire was developed to capture facets of individual empowerment as it pertained to tobacco prevention efforts among youth within New Mexico. The work used principal axis factor analysis with Varimax rotation to discern four valid sub-scales entitled: active participation; empowerment efficacy; external organizational involvement; and participant satisfaction. Data were derived by utilizing a sample of 112 youth participants, who ranged in age from 11 to 22 years. It was noted that these results were not generalizable to the general population, nor were they representative of all teens involved in youth empowerment tobacco prevention programs. Tables, figure, and references