Citation

Schinke SP, Schwinn TM, Fang L. J. Adolesc. Health 2010; 46(5): 451-457.

Affiliation

Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY 10027, USA. schinke@columbia.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.11.208

PMID

20413081

PMCID

PMC2859450

Abstract

PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial examined longitudinal outcomes from an alcohol abuse prevention program aimed at urban youths. METHODS: Study participants were an ethnically and racially heterogeneous sample of early adolescents, recruited from community-based agencies in greater New York City and its environs. Once they assented to study participation and gained parental permission, youths were divided into three arms: youth intervention delivered by CD-ROM (CD), the same youth intervention plus parent intervention (CD(P)), and control. Once all youths completed baseline measures, those in CD and CD(P) arms received a computerized 10-session alcohol abuse prevention program. Parents of youths in the CD(P) arm received supplemental materials to support and strengthen their children's learning. All youths completed postintervention and annual follow-up measures, and CD- and CD(P)-arm participants received annual booster intervention sessions. RESULTS: Seven years following postintervention testing and relative to control-arm youths, youths in CD and CD(P) arms reported less alcohol use, cigarette use, binge drinking, and peer pressure to drink; fewer drinking friends; greater refusal of alcohol use opportunities; and lower intentions to drink. No differences were observed between CD and CD(P) arms. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings lend support to the potential of computerized, skills-based prevention programs to help urban youth reduce their risks for underage drinking.

Language: en