A cluster randomised trial of a school-based resilience intervention to decrease tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug...

Area of Science:

• Adolescent Health
• Mental Wellbeing
• Substance Use Prevention

Background:

• School-based interventions for adolescent substance use prevention have shown limited effectiveness.
• Resilience theory offers a promising mental wellbeing approach to address adolescent substance use.
• Previous interventions have not fully utilized resilience-building strategies in school settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a comprehensive resilience intervention in reducing adolescent tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use.
• To determine if a resilience-focused program can decrease substance use among secondary school students.
• To assess the impact of a school-based resilience intervention on adolescent substance use behaviors.

Main Methods:

• A cluster randomized controlled trial involving 32 schools in disadvantaged areas.
• Intervention and control groups were established, with schools as the unit of randomization.
• Data collected via baseline surveys in Grade 7 and follow-up surveys in Grade 10, measuring self-reported substance use.

Main Results:

• The study is designed to compare post-test outcomes between intervention and control groups.
• Primary outcome measures include self-reported use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and other illicit drugs.
• Effectiveness will be determined by comparing Grade 10 student substance use between groups.

Conclusions:

• This is the first randomized controlled trial to assess a comprehensive school-based resilience intervention for adolescent substance use.
• The study aims to provide evidence on the effectiveness of resilience strategies in preventing adolescent substance use in disadvantaged schools.
• Findings will contribute to understanding the role of mental wellbeing and resilience in reducing youth substance use.