Engaging ethnically diverse teens in a substance use prevention advocacy program

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• Community Psychology

Background:

• Adolescent substance use is a significant public health concern.
• Low-income communities often face greater risks for substance use and fewer resources for prevention.
• Engaging youth in advocacy can empower them to create healthier environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Teen Activists for Community Change and Leadership Education program.
• To assess the program's impact on adolescent substance use, community involvement, and social cognitive factors.
• To understand the program's effectiveness in low-income neighborhoods.

Main Methods:

• A nine-month intervention involving 116 high school freshmen and sophomores in low-income areas.
• Utilized social cognitive theory constructs: sense of community, self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, incentive value, policy control, and leadership competence.
• Conducted 30-90 minute meetings focused on community advocacy and leadership skills.

Main Results:

• No significant changes were observed in individual alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use by the program's end.
• Participants showed improvements in community involvement.
• Self-perception related to social cognitive constructs, such as sense of community and self-efficacy, significantly improved.

Conclusions:

• The Teen Activists program effectively enhanced community involvement and positive self-perceptions among adolescents.
• While not directly reducing substance use, the program fostered leadership and advocacy skills crucial for long-term community change.
• Future research could explore sustained effects and modifications to directly impact substance use behaviors.