ERIC Number: EJ1029752
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1098-1608
EISSN: N/A
Substance Use Prevention among At-Risk Rural Youth: Piloting the Social Ecological "One Life" Program
Williams, Ronald D., Jr.; Barnes, Jeremy T.; Holman, Thomas; Hunt, Barry P.
Journal of At-Risk Issues, v18 n1 p19-26 2014
Substance use among youth is a significant health concern in the rural United States, particularly among at-risk students. While evidence-based programs are available, literature suggests that an underdeveloped rural health prevention workforce often limits the adoption of such programs. Additionally, population-size restrictions of national mentoring programs can hinder their adoption in rural areas. This study sought to determine the effectiveness of a school-based group-matched mentoring program on at-risk students in two rural Missouri school districts using an intervention-control group design. At-risk students (n = 65) identified by school officials participated in a school-based mentoring program (One Life) designed to reduce substance use and impact social ecological risk factors. Compared to controls (n = 29), participants indicated reductions in 30-day use of tobacco (p = 0.037), alcohol (p = 0.001), and inhalants (p < 0.001). Additional benefits included increased interest in higher education and improved skills in peer development (p < 0.05). Social ecological mentoring can be a viable option for school-based drug prevention programs targeting at-risk rural youth.
Descriptors: Prevention, Substance Abuse, Rural Youth, Pilot Projects, Mentors, Social Influences, Environmental Influences, Behavior Modification, At Risk Students, Intervention, Pretests Posttests, Comparative Analysis, Program Effectiveness, Drug Abuse, Secondary School Students, Student Surveys, Drinking, Age Differences, Student Attitudes, Academic Aspiration, Experimental Groups, Control Groups, Interpersonal Competence, Smoking, Inhalants, Marijuana, Friendship, Family Influence
National Dropout Prevention Center/Network. Clemson University, 209 Martin Street, Clemson, SC 29631. Tel: 864-56-599; Fax: 864-656-0136; e-mail: ndpc@clemson.edu; Web site: http://www.dropoutprevention.org/ndpcdefault.htm
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education; Grade 8; Grade 9; Grade 10; High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Missouri
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A