Abstract
This study evaluated the efficacy of a brief integrative multiple behavior intervention and assessed risk factors as mediators of behavioral outcomes among older adolescents. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with participants randomly assigned to either a brief intervention or standard care control with 3-month follow-up. A total of 479 students attending two public high schools participated. Participants receiving the intervention showed a significant reduction in quantity × frequency of alcohol use, and increases in fruit and vegetable consumption and frequency of relaxation activities, compared to those receiving the control, P’s = .01. No effects were found on cigarette and marijuana use, exercise and sleep. Effect sizes were small with alcohol use cessation effects reaching medium size. Intervention effects were mediated by changes in peer influenceability for alcohol use, and self-efficacy and self-image for health promoting behaviors. Findings suggest that the brief intervention resulted in health risk and promoting behavior improvements for adolescents, with outcomes mediated by several risk factors.
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Acknowledgments
This investigation and manuscript would not have been possible without the financial support from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (Grant number: AA9283) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (Grant numbers: DA018872 and DA019172). We also wish to thank the many school administrators, staff, teachers, parents, guardians, and students who made this project possible through their kind support and participation.
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Werch, C.E., Bian, H., Carlson, J.M. et al. Brief integrative multiple behavior intervention effects and mediators for adolescents. J Behav Med 34, 3–12 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-010-9281-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-010-9281-9