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A meta-analysis of adolescent smoking prevention programs
1School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley 94720.
American Journal of Public Health
|June 1, 1993
Summary
School-based adolescent smoking prevention programs are most effective with social reinforcement, social norms, or developmental approaches. Traditional rational approaches show smaller behavioral effects for preventing youth tobacco use.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Numerous studies evaluate adolescent smoking prevention programs.
- Systematic reviews are crucial to identify effective strategies.
- This meta-analysis specifically examines school-based interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a systematic quantitative review of school-based adolescent smoking prevention programs.
- To determine the efficacy of different program orientations.
Main Methods:
- Meta-analysis of 94 separate intervention evaluations.
- Studies were screened for methodological rigor.
- Analyses focused on interventions with more defensible methodologies.
Main Results:
- Behavioral effect sizes were largest for social reinforcement, moderate for developmental or social norms, and small for rational orientations.
- Attitude effect sizes mirrored behavioral trends.
- Knowledge effect sizes were similar across all orientation categories.
Conclusions:
- School-based programs should prioritize social reinforcement, social norms, or developmental orientations.
- These approaches are more effective for preventing adolescent tobacco use.
- Behavioral outcomes are the primary objective for these prevention programs.