Development, implementation and evaluation an empowerment program for adolescent girls with substance use disorders:...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Psychology
• Social Work

Background:

• Substance use in adolescent girls is linked to high-risk behaviors including suicide, risky sexual activity, and violence.
• Psychosocial empowerment programs offer practical strategies for managing health and social welfare issues in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design a comprehensive psychosocial empowerment program tailored to reduce high-risk behaviors in adolescent girls with substance use disorder.
• To address the specific psychosocial needs and mitigate risk factors associated with substance use in adolescent females.

Main Methods:

• The study employs a six-step model based on Talbot and Verrinder.
• Qualitative methods identify needs, literature reviews enrich strategies, and Delphi technique prioritizes interventions.
• Program design, expert evaluation, implementation, monitoring, and outcome assessment follow.

Main Results:

• The study is in the design and development phase, focusing on creating an evidence-based program.
• Anticipated results will stem from the program's implementation and evaluation phases (not yet conducted).

Conclusions:

• The designed empowerment program holds potential for significant impact on reducing and controlling high-risk behaviors.
• Effective implementation by health and social welfare organizations is crucial for realizing the program's benefits.