Simone A Onrust1, Roy Otten2, Jeroen Lammers3, Filip Smit4. 1. Trimbos Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: sonrust@trimbos.nl. 2. Department of Research and Development, Pluryn, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. 3. Trimbos Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands. 4. Trimbos Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Psychology, EMGO, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Findings from systematic reviews and meta-analyses about the effectiveness of school-based programmes to prevent or reduce substance abuse are inconclusive. We hypothesise that in order to be effective, programmes have to be aligned with the developmental stages of the intended target group (childhood, early, middle, or late adolescence). The present study provides an overview of universal and targeted programmes, while distinguishing four age groups and examining which intervention characteristics are the effective components for the respective groups. METHODS: Databases were searched for controlled studies of school-based programmes, evaluating their effectiveness on either smoking, alcohol or drug use. Multivariate meta-regression analysis was used to analyse the associations between effects and programme characteristics. RESULTS: Our meta-analysis evaluates 288 programmes with a total of 436,180 participants. The findings support our hypothesis that specific aspects of the school-based programmes are effective in some developmental stages, but not for other age groups. The differences in effectiveness are systematically related to psychological and cognitive needs and capacities. DISCUSSION: Our findings highlight the importance of considering a developmental perspective when designing and offering school-based prevention programmes. The various developmental stages offer different possibilities and opportunities for the reduction and prevention of substance use.
BACKGROUND: Findings from systematic reviews and meta-analyses about the effectiveness of school-based programmes to prevent or reduce substance abuse are inconclusive. We hypothesise that in order to be effective, programmes have to be aligned with the developmental stages of the intended target group (childhood, early, middle, or late adolescence). The present study provides an overview of universal and targeted programmes, while distinguishing four age groups and examining which intervention characteristics are the effective components for the respective groups. METHODS: Databases were searched for controlled studies of school-based programmes, evaluating their effectiveness on either smoking, alcohol or drug use. Multivariate meta-regression analysis was used to analyse the associations between effects and programme characteristics. RESULTS: Our meta-analysis evaluates 288 programmes with a total of 436,180 participants. The findings support our hypothesis that specific aspects of the school-based programmes are effective in some developmental stages, but not for other age groups. The differences in effectiveness are systematically related to psychological and cognitive needs and capacities. DISCUSSION: Our findings highlight the importance of considering a developmental perspective when designing and offering school-based prevention programmes. The various developmental stages offer different possibilities and opportunities for the reduction and prevention of substance use.
Authors: Jennifer O'Loughlin; Erin K O'Loughlin; Robert J Wellman; Marie-Pierre Sylvestre; Erika N Dugas; Miguel Chagnon; Hartley Dutczak; Johanne Laguë; Jennifer J McGrath Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2017-03-18 Impact factor: 5.012
Authors: Alexandra M Zuckermann; Mahmood R Gohari; Margaret de Groh; Ying Jiang; Scott T Leatherdale Journal: Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can Date: 2020-04 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Kiri A Patton; Matthew J Gullo; Jason P Connor; Gary C K Chan; Adrian B Kelly; Richard F Catalano; John W Toumbourou Journal: Addict Behav Date: 2018-03-28 Impact factor: 3.913