Nicola C Newton1, Gavin Andrews2, Katrina E Champion3, Maree Teesson3. 1. NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. Electronic address: n.newton@unsw.edu.au. 2. Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. 3. NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
Abstract
AIMS: A universal Internet-based preventive intervention has been shown to reduce alcohol and cannabis use. The aim of this study was to examine if this program could also reduce risk-factors associated with substance use in adolescents. METHOD: A cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted in Sydney, Australia in 2007-2008 to assess the effectiveness of the Internet-based Climate Schools: Alcohol and Cannabis course. The evidence-based course, aimed at reducing alcohol and cannabis use, consists of two sets of six lessons delivered approximately six months apart. A total of 764 students (mean 13.1years) from 10 secondary schools were randomly allocated to receive the preventive intervention (n=397, five schools), or their usual health classes (n=367, five schools) over the year. Participants were assessed at baseline, immediately post, and six and twelve months following the intervention on their levels of truancy, psychological distress and moral disengagement. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, students in the intervention group showed significant reductions in truancy, psychological distress and moral disengagement up to twelve months following completion of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: These intervention effects indicate that Internet-based preventive interventions designed to prevent alcohol and cannabis use can concurrently reduce risk-factors associated with substance use in adolescents. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: Australian Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN: 012607000312448.
RCT Entities:
AIMS: A universal Internet-based preventive intervention has been shown to reduce alcohol and cannabis use. The aim of this study was to examine if this program could also reduce risk-factors associated with substance use in adolescents. METHOD: A cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted in Sydney, Australia in 2007-2008 to assess the effectiveness of the Internet-based Climate Schools: Alcohol and Cannabis course. The evidence-based course, aimed at reducing alcohol and cannabis use, consists of two sets of six lessons delivered approximately six months apart. A total of 764 students (mean 13.1years) from 10 secondary schools were randomly allocated to receive the preventive intervention (n=397, five schools), or their usual health classes (n=367, five schools) over the year. Participants were assessed at baseline, immediately post, and six and twelve months following the intervention on their levels of truancy, psychological distress and moral disengagement. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, students in the intervention group showed significant reductions in truancy, psychological distress and moral disengagement up to twelve months following completion of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: These intervention effects indicate that Internet-based preventive interventions designed to prevent alcohol and cannabis use can concurrently reduce risk-factors associated with substance use in adolescents. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: Australian Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN: 012607000312448.
Authors: Mieke Snijder; Lexine Stapinski; James Ward; Briana Lees; Cath Chapman; Katrina Champion; Michael Doyle; Ian Watson; Rachael Sarra; Amanda Lear; Sophia Garlick Bock; Maree Teesson; Nicola Newton Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-02-23 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Andrés Concha-Salgado; Angélica Ramírez; Beatriz Pérez; Ricardo Pérez-Luco; Eduardo García-Cueto Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-09-27 Impact factor: 4.614