The Effects of Interventions to Prevent Substance Use Among Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The aim of this systematic review is to describe and evaluate the effects of interventions used for preventing or reducing substance use among adolescents under 18 years of age. Studies (N = 27) available in CINAHL and PubMed from 2007 to 2010 were included. Results showed that family-based interventions and combined interventions have significant outcomes for substance use among adolescents. Similarly, school-based interventions were effective in providing knowledge about substance use, which eventually reduced the substance use. Further research should be conducted in different cultures as well as on computer-based interventions targeting both genders.

A systematic review of adolescents’ sense of coherence and health

“…There is a need to focus on a longitudinal study in order to scrutinise causal relationships and to test the potential influences of SOC . There is also a need to focus on intervention studies, especially long‐lasting interventions, in relation to different risk groups . In addition, interventions targeting society are needed, with constant changes and a development towards adulthood.…”

Eating Disorders, Addictions and Substance Use Disorders

“…10.4.6 Lesson 6: Ecological Approaches Are Very Important 10.4.6.1 Substance Misuse Many drug prevention programs over the years, including those featuring resistance skill training and competence enhancement, have demonstrated limited long-term effects, and even the most successful programs could be enhanced (Tobler et al, 2000; see also Karki et al, 2013). Consistent with the principles of the NSVS model, developmental contextualism, and the CSP, one successful response to limited effects has been integration of school-based programming with efforts to improve the broader ecology of adolescents.…”

Public Commitment, Resistance to Advertising, and Leisure Promotion in a School-Based Drug Abuse Prevention Program: A Component Dismantling Study

“…School-based interventions are effective tools in reducing substance use (Faggiano, Vigna-Taglianti, Versino, Zambon, Borraccino, & Lemme, 2008;Karki, Pietila, Lansimies-Antikainen, Vajoranta, Pirskanen, & Laukanen, 2012). However, the impact provided by many of the programs is limited, and some of their effectiveness determinants remain unexplored (Gázquez, Garcia, & Espada, 2009).…”

“…A crucial aspect in the evaluation of program effectiveness refers to the specific components that are related to success. Efforts to identify the core components of school-based drug abuse prevention programs have been channeled by means of meta-analyses (e.g., Tobler, Roona, Ochshorn, Marshall, Streke, & Stackpole, 2000) and systematic reviews (e.g., Karki et al, 2012). Some of the most important elements that must be present in a good preventive program are: transmission of knowledge, general-skills training, promotion of healthy leisure, public commitment to not participating in drug use, and resistance to advertising (Tobler et al, 2000).…”