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A meta-analysis of the California school-based risk reduction program
1School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley.
Journal of Drug Education
|January 1, 1990
Summary
School-based drug and alcohol interventions show mixed results. Information-focused programs improve knowledge, while alternative approaches better influence attitudes and behavior in adolescents.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Psychology
- Intervention Science
Background:
- Previous reviews found methodological flaws in school-based substance use prevention programs.
- Limited evidence suggested these interventions lacked desired impact on adolescent tobacco, alcohol, and drug use.
- Existing meta-analyses differentiate intervention effects on knowledge versus attitudes and behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of school-based risk-reduction programs for adolescent substance use.
- To replicate findings from previous meta-analyses on intervention impacts.
- To assess programs based on rigorous methodological standards for evaluation research.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a meta-analysis of eight school-based risk-reduction programs.
- Included only programs meeting six standard methodological requirements for evaluation research.
- Analyzed the impact of interventions on adolescent knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding substance use.
Main Results:
- The current meta-analysis replicated previous findings.
- Information-focused interventions primarily impacted knowledge.
- Alternative interventions demonstrated greater influence on attitudes and behavior.
Conclusions:
- School-based interventions targeting adolescent substance use yield varied outcomes.
- The choice of intervention strategy significantly affects the impact on knowledge versus behavior.
- Methodologically sound evaluations are crucial for understanding intervention effectiveness.