ERIC Number: EJ1048284
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Jan
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1049-7315
EISSN: N/A
Utilizing Mutual Aid in Reducing Adolescent Substance Use and Developing Group Engagement
Mogro-Wilson, Cristina; Letendre, Joan; Toi, Hiroki; Bryan, Janelle
Research on Social Work Practice, v25 n1 p129-138 Jan 2015
Objective: This study assessed the effectiveness of mutual aid groups for high school students. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was applied to 242 adolescents, where every other adolescent was assigned to the intervention or the control condition. The study evaluated the influence of implementing mutual aid groups in decreasing perceived risk of substance use, favorable attitudes toward substance use, and reducing substance use while increasing group engagement. Participants were assessed at baseline, during Sessions 2 and 7, and treatment exit. General linear mixed-effects models were used to detect significant differences between treatment and control conditions. Results: Findings indicated mutual aid groups significantly reduced favorable attitudes toward drug use and decreased alcohol and marijuana usage compared to the control group. In addition, the adolescents in treatment significantly increased their group engagement. Conclusions: Results support mutual aid group work models for reducing alcohol use and increasing group engagement for high school youth.
Descriptors: Adolescent Attitudes, Substance Abuse, High School Students, Quasiexperimental Design, Intervention, Control Groups, Experimental Groups, Outcomes of Treatment, Pretests Posttests, Drug Education, Health Education, Alcohol Abuse, Alcohol Education, Prevention, Sensitivity Training, Peer Groups, Communities of Practice, Social Work, College School Cooperation, School Community Programs, Risk, Student Surveys, Models, Participant Characteristics, Learner Engagement, Program Effectiveness
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A