Brief Multiple Behavior Health Interventions for Older Adolescents

Abstract

This study examined whether brief intervention strategies founded on the Behavior-Image Model and addressing positive images of college and career success could be potentially efficacious in impacting multiple health habits of high-risk adolescents transitioning into adulthood. Participants were stratified by grade level and drug use and individually randomized to one of the three Plan for Success interventions, with baseline and 1 month postintervention data collections. A large, relatively diverse suburban school in northeast Florida. A total of 375 11th and 12th grade students participated during the spring semester 2006. Three interventions studied included: (1) Goal Survey, (2) Goal Survey plus Contract, or (3) Goal Survey plus Consult. Outcome measures included multiple health risk, health promotion, and personal development behaviors, as well as image and belief measures. Repeated-measures MANOVAs and ANOVAs were used to examine intervention effects. MANOVAs were significant for alcohol use, F(4,328) = 6.33, p = .001; marijuana use, F(4,317) = 3.72, p = .01; exercise, F(3,299 = 4.28, p = .01; college preparation, F(2,327) = 6.26, p = .001; and career preparation, F(2,329) = 6.17, p = .001, with most behaviors improving over time, whereas group-by-time interaction effects were found for nutrition habits, F(6,652) = 2.60, p = .02; and career preparation, F(4,658) = 3.26, p = .01, favoring the consultation. Brief interventions founded on the Behavior-Image Model may have potential to improve selected health and personal development habits among older adolescents.