School-based support groups for adolescents with a substance-abusing parent

BACKGROUND Adolescents with substance-abusing parents need interventions to reduce their risk for a variety of problems. School-based support groups (SBSGs) have been proposed to increase resilience in this population. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate a SBSG for adolescents with substance-abusing parents. STUDY DESIGN The randomized, controlled study was conducted with high-school students (n = 109) to evaluate the impact of SBSGs on resiliency. Resiliency was operationalized as positive physical health, mental health, and risk behaviors in the presence of adverse life events. Data were collected pre- and postintervention. RESULTS Significant improvements in knowledge of substance abuse were noted. Findings suggested gender differences in coping and health outcomes and positive trends in substance use. CONCLUSIONS SBSGs may increase resilience in this at-risk population. However, there were gender differences in response to the intervention, and group facilitators should be aware that participants' gender may influence response to the groups. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc, 2008; 14(4), 297-309. DOI: 10.1177/1078390308321223.