Implementation of a resistance skills training program to improve grade-seven students reported self-efficacy to resist drugs
Date
1999
Authors
Trumper, Ronda Lea
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Abstract
At the start of the l 990's, researchers took great joy in describing the decrease in adolescent drug use across North America (Adlaf & Smart, 1991; Johnson, O'Malley & Bachman, 1992). Some researchers even predicted that this trend would continue (Adlaf & Smart, 1991). However, studies across North America have shown this trend has not only come to an end, but has reversed (Adlaf, Ivis, Smart &Walsh, 1995; Johnson, O'Malley & Bachman, 1994). This increase in drug use by adolescents is cause for alarm. Currently, the misuse of alcohol and other drugs is the greatest cause of disability and death in adolescents and young adults. "Over half of all accidents in the 15-24 year age group are due to motor vehicle fatalities, of which 45% are related to alcohol abuse. For those under 21 years of age 51 % were alcohol related. Other drugs certainly play a role as well" (Comerci & MacDonald, 1990, p.77).
This study looks at the results of a short-term prevention program that attempted to increase drug use refusal self-efficacy for smoking, alcohol and marijuana amongst grade-seven students. Seventy-three students from three grade-seven classrooms in the Greater Victoria Area participated in the study. The study included a pretest, an implementation of a prevention program based on Social Learning Theory constructs, an immediate post-test and a post-test at a 3 week follow up. The results do not show a significant increase in drug use refusal self-efficacy, but do raise questions about the different effects of participating in a drug use refusal skills training program for current drug users and non-users. The researcher discusses implications for future research and prevention programs.