Effects of a Comprehensive, Multiple Risky Behavior Prevention Program on High School Students.

Crystal Collier,Alicia Lachapelle,Jessica Davison,Anthony J Onwuegbuzie

doi:10.1155/2016/9545847

Crystal Collier, Alicia Lachapelle + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/9545847

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Abstract

The purpose of this research study was to examine the effect of a multiple risky behaviors prevention program applied comprehensively throughout an entire school system involving universal, selective, and indicated levels of students at a local private high school during a 4-year period. The noncurriculum prevention program was created based upon the key elements of effective prevention programming and the need to address the growing variety of risky behaviors that the youth face today. Results (n = 469 to 614) indicated that 7 out of 15 risky behaviors statistically significantly decreased throughout the 4-year study, with 6 behaviors involving alcohol and drugs. However, many of the targeted non-substance-use risky behaviors displayed inconsistent prevalence rate patterns without statistically significant changes. These findings indicate that the frequency and intensity of programming for non-substance-use behaviors should be increased to a value at least equal to that of the substance-use behaviors. Implications for schools, prevention specialists, and future program development and research are discussed.

Highlights

In the United States, the average age of the first use of alcohol and marijuana is between 15 and 17 [1, 2]
This study set out to explore the effects of Choices, a comprehensive prevention program involving all three Institute of Medicine (IOM)’s categories and targeting multiple risky behaviors that adolescents struggle with today
By comparing the local to the national population that served as a quasi-experimental control group, the data indicated that, prior to the introduction of the prevention program, the local students reported relatively more of a problem with alcohol use behaviors, but relatively less of an issue with eating disorders, bullying, suicide, and

Summary

Introduction

In the United States, the average age of the first use of alcohol and marijuana is between 15 and 17 [1, 2]. Adolescent alcohol and drug use increases each year during the high school period [3]. Early alcohol and drug use is not the only risky behavior of concern [4]. Many adolescents engage in more than one of these risky behaviors simultaneously [19, 20]. The occurrence of simultaneous multiple risky behaviors is significant and increases from freshman to senior year in high school [21]

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