PreVenture is recognized by public and private-sector organizations worldwide. It has been identified as an evidence-based program by organizations like the US Surgeon General, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations.
To date, there are multiple completed and in-progress trials evaluating PreVenture in diverse contexts of which 8 used a randomized controlled design. The section below summarizes the evidence from these trials, supporting PreVenture’s efficacy and effectiveness.
STUDY OVERVIEW
Study Type: Randomized Controlled Trial
Participants: 297 students
Follow-up Period: 4 months
Location: Nova Scotia & British Columbia
Study Population
Age Range: 14–17 years (Mean age: 16 years)
Gender: 56% Female, 44% Male
Grade Level: Grades 9-12
Schools: 9 high schools (4 rural Nova Scotia, 5 urban British Columbia)
Eligibility: Students who indicated drinking onset in the past 4 months
Summary: The purpose of the study was to conduct a randomized controlled trial of the effect of a personality-targeted intervention [now called Preventure] targeting one of three personality profiles: Anxiety sensitivity (AS), hopelessness (H), and sensation seeking (SS) on reducing drinking behavior in Canadian high school students who indicated past 4 month drinking. Participants were randomly assigned to participate in the relevant personality-targeted intervention or to a no-intervention control. Measures utilized include the Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index (CASI), the Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking–Intensity subscale (AISS–I), the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS), the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index (RAPI), and a developer questionnaire that addressed drinking behavior (alcohol consumption). Results indicate that there were beneficial effects of the relevant personality-targeted intervention and Intervention × Personality interactions on drinking rates, drinking quantity, binge drinking, and problem drinking symptoms at the 4-month follow-up. Limitations include that the design did not allow for testing of the hypotheses about matching treatment to personality; the observed intervention effects were not large in magnitude, even for AS, H, and SS youth in the experimental group; and the study did not address the fact that some high-risk youth had multiple personality elevations and could have benefited from an intervention that targets more than one personality risk factor.
2006 – Conrod – Efficacy of Cognitive–Behavioral Interventions Targeting Personality Risk Factors
STUDY OVERVIEW
Study Type: Randomized Controlled Trial
Participants: 423 students
Follow-up Period: 6 months
Location: London, UK
Study Population:
- Age Range: 13–16 years (Mean age: 14 years)
- Race/Ethnicity:40% White European, 20% Mixed and Other, 18% Black African, 14% Black Caribbean, 6% South Asian, and 2% East Asian
- Gender: 64% Female, 34% Male
- Grade Level: Grades 9-11
Schools: 12 secondary schools in London
Summary: The purpose of the study was to examine the extent to which a personality-targeted cognitive-behavioral intervention [now called PreVenture®] can prevent the onset or reduce relevant psychological problems in youth. Participants were randomly assigned to either a personality-matched cognitive-behavioral intervention [which targeted four personality risk factors: negative thinking (NT), anxiety sensitivity (AS), impulsivity (IMP), and sensation seeking (SS)] or to a no-intervention control. Measures utilized include the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS), the revised Panic Attack Questionnaire (PAQ-R), the seven-item Depression Subscale from the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and the Reckless Behaviour Questionnaire (RBQ). Results indicate that there was a moderate effect of the personality-matched cognitive-behavioral (NT) intervention on depression scores, and a similar effect of the personality-matched cognitive-behavioral (AS) intervention on panic attack and truancy (i.e., school avoidance). A small but significant intervention effect was found for shoplifting for the entire sample, as well as a moderate intervention effect on this outcome for the personality-matched cognitive-behavioral IMP intervention group. Limitations include that the study did not examine the efficacy of the personality-targeted approach using a placebo-controlled design, a lack of information about some of the measures psychometrics, a lack of inclusion of tools to assess clinical outcomes in the study, and reliance on self-reported measures.
2008 -Personality‐targeted Interventions Delay the growth of Adolescent Drinking and Binge Drinking.
STUDY OVERVIEW
Study Type: Randomized Controlled Trial
Participants: 368 students
Follow-up Period: 6 and 12 months
Location: London, UK
Study Population
- Age Range: 9–10 years (Median=14 years)
- Gender: 250 Female and 118 Male
- Race/Ethnicity: Not specified
- Status: Participants were students in Grades 9 to 10 with personality risk factors for substance misuse.
Location/Institution: Thirteen secondary schools in ten London boroughs
Summary: The study used the same sample as Castellanos & Conrod (2006). The purpose of the study was to examine whether providing personality-targeted interventions in early adolescence can delay drinking and binge drinking in high-risk youth. Participants were randomly assigned to a personality-targeted intervention [now called PreVenture] or to no intervention. Measures utilized include the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS), and drinking outcomes were assessed by a study-developed measure of the frequency and quantity over the past 6 months. Results indicate that there was a group difference in the growth of alcohol use between baseline and 6-month follow-up, with the control group showing a greater increase in drinking than the personality-targeted intervention group for this period. The personality-targeted interventions were particularly effective in preventing the growth of binge drinking in those students with a sensation seeking (SS) personality. Sensation Seeking drinkers in the personality-targeted intervention group were 45% and 50% less likely to binge drink at 6 and 12 months, respectively, than SS drinkers in the control group. Limitations include that the study did not examine the efficacy of this personality-targeted approach using a placebo-controlled design and the lack of information about some of the measures’ psychometrics.
STUDY OVERVIEW
Study Type: Randomized controlled trial – secondary outcome analysis
Participants: 423 students
Follow-up Period: 6 months
Location: London, UK
Study Population
- Age Range: 13–16 years (Mean=14 years)
- Gender: 64% Female
- Race/Ethnicity:40% White European, 20% Mixed and Other, 18% Black African, 14% Black Caribbean, 6% South Asian, and 2% East Asian
- Status: Participants were students in Grades 9 to 11
Location/Institution: Twelve secondary schools in ten London boroughs
Summary:
The purpose of the study was to examine the extent to which a personality-targeted cognitive-behavioral intervention [now called the PreVenture Program] can prevent the onset or reduce relevant psychological problems in youth. Participants were randomly assigned to either a personality-matched cognitive-behavioral intervention [which targeted four personality risk factors: negative thinking (NT), anxiety sensitivity (AS), impulsivity (IMP), and sensation seeking (SS)] or to a no-intervention control. Measures utilized include the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS), the revised Panic Attack Questionnaire (PAQ-R), the seven-item Depression Subscale from the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and the Reckless Behaviour Questionnaire (RBQ). Results indicate that there was a moderate effect of the personality-matched cognitive-behavioral (NT) intervention on depression scores, and a similar effect of the personality-matched cognitive-behavioral (AS) intervention on panic attack and truancy (i.e., school avoidance). A small but significant intervention effect was found for shoplifting for the entire sample, as well as a moderate intervention effect on this outcome for the personality-matched cognitive-behavioral IMP intervention group. Limitations include that the study did not examine the efficacy of the personality-targeted approach using a placebo-controlled design, a lack of information about some of the measures psychometrics, a lack of inclusion of tools to assess clinical outcomes in the study, and reliance on self-reported measures.
STUDY OVERVIEW
Study Type: Randomized controlled trial – expanded sample and primary illicit drug use outcomes
Participants: 732 students
Follow-up Period: 24 months (2 years)
Location: London, UK
Study Population
- Age Range: 13–16 years (Mean=14 years)
- Gender: 64% Female
- Race/Ethnicity:40% White European, 20% Mixed and Other, 18% Black African, 14% Black Caribbean, 6% South Asian, and 2% East Asian
- Status: Participants were students in Grades 9 to 11
Location/Institution: Twenty-four secondary schools in the UK
Summary:
The purpose of the study was to double the sample size of the Preventure trial to examine the extent to which a personality-targeted cognitive-behavioral intervention [now called the PreVenture Program] can prevent the onset of illicit substance use in youth who report personality risk factors for substance misuse. Participants were randomly assigned to either a personality-matched cognitive-behavioral intervention [which targeted four personality risk factors: negative thinking (NT), anxiety sensitivity (AS), impulsivity (IMP), and sensation seeking (SS)] or to a no-intervention control. Measures utilized include the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS), the revised Panic Attack Questionnaire (PAQ-R), the seven-item Depression Subscale from the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and the Reckless Behaviour Questionnaire (RBQ). Results indicate that there was a moderate effect of the personality-matched cognitive-behavioral (NT) intervention on depression scores, and a similar effect of the personality-matched cognitive-behavioral (AS) intervention on panic attack and truancy (i.e., school avoidance). Significant effects were reported on number of illicit substances used, frequency of use, and likelihood of reporting onset of cannabis, cocaine and other drug use. Limitations include that the study did not examine the efficacy of the personality-targeted approach using a placebo-controlled design, a lack of information about some of the measures psychometrics, a lack of inclusion of tools to assess clinical outcomes in the study, and reliance on self-reported measures.
STUDY OVERVIEW
Study Type: Randomized controlled trial – alcohol use, frequency, quantity and problems interim 6-month outcomes
Participants: 1159 students
Follow-up Period: 6 months
Location: London, UK
Study Population
- Age Range: 13–16 years (Mean=14 years)
- Gender: 64% Female
- Race/Ethnicity:40% White European, 20% Mixed and Other, 18% Black African, 14% Black Caribbean, 6% South Asian, and 2% East Asian
- Status: Participants were students in Grades 9 to 11
Location/Institution: Twenty-one secondary schools in the UK
Summary:
To include comparison groups, outcomes, measures, notable limitations) The purpose of the study was to evaluate the replicability of the Preventure intervention outcomes when the program is delivered by school staff. Primary outcomes were two-year drinking outcomes, this study presents 6-month interim drinking outcomes. Participants were randomly assigned to either a personality-matched cognitive-behavioral intervention [which targeted four personality risk factors: negative thinking (NT), anxiety sensitivity (AS), impulsivity (IMP), and sensation seeking (SS)] or to a no-intervention control. Measures utilized include the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS), and a self-reported alcohol use quantity and frequency measure, as well as the Rutget Alcohol Problem Index. Results indicate that the intervention was associated with significant reduction in likelihood of reporting alcohol use and binge drinking, with stronger effects reported for those who indicated having already initiated drinking at baseline. Limitations include that the study did not examine the efficacy of the personality-targeted approach using a placebo-controlled design, a lack of inclusion of tools to assess clinical outcomes in the study, and reliance on self-reported measures.
STUDY OVERVIEW
Study Type: Randomized controlled trial – alcohol use, frequency, quantity and problems interim 2-year primary outcomes
Participants: 2643 students
Follow-up Period: 24 months
Location: London, UK
Study Population
- Age Range: 13–16 years (Mean=14 years)
- Gender: 64% Female
- Race/Ethnicity:40% White European, 20% Mixed and Other, 18% Black African, 14% Black Caribbean, 6% South Asian, and 2% East Asian
- Status: Participants were students in Grades 9 to 11
Location/Institution: Twenty-one secondary schools in the UK
Summary:
To include comparison groups, outcomes, measures, notable limitations) This study reports on the two-year outcomes of the trial above. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the reblicability of the Preventure intervention outcomes when the program is delivered by school staff. Primary outcomes were two-year drinking outcomes (frequency, quantity and problems). Secondary outcomes were drinking outcomes of low risk youth attending schools that delivered the program (universal effects). Participants were randomly assigned to either a personality-matched cognitive-behavioral intervention [which targeted four personality risk factors: negative thinking (NT), anxiety sensitivity (AS), impulsivity (IMP), and sensation seeking (SS)] or to a no-intervention control. Measures utilized include the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS), and a self-reported alcohol use quantity and frequency measure, as well as the Rutger’s Alcohol Problem Index (RAPI). Results indicate that the intervention was associated with significant reduction in likelihood of reporting alcohol use frequency, quantity, binge drinking and alcohol problems. This study also reported the effects of the intervention on the whole population, and showed that low-risk youth who attended schools that delivered the program were also protected by the intervention on drinking onset and frequency measures. Limitations include that the study did not examine the efficacy of the personality-targeted approach using a placebo-controlled design, a lack of inclusion of tools to assess clinical outcomes in the study, and reliance on self-reported measures.
STUDY OVERVIEW
Study Type: Randomized controlled trial – alcohol use, frequency, quantity and problems interim 6-month outcomes
Participants: 1159 students
Follow-up Period: 6 months
Location: London, UK
Study Population
- Age Range: 13–16 years (Mean=14 years)
- Gender: 64% Female
- Race/Ethnicity:40% White European, 20% Mixed and Other, 18% Black African, 14% Black Caribbean, 6% South Asian, and 2% East Asian
- Status: Participants were students in Grades 9 to 11
Location/Institution: Twenty-one secondary schools in the UK
Summary:
To include comparison groups, outcomes, measures, notable limitations) The purpose of the study was to evaluate the replicability of the Preventure intervention outcomes when the program is delivered by school staff. Primary outcomes were two-year drinking cannabis use outcomes (onset and frequency). Participants were randomly assigned to either a personality-matched cognitive-behavioral intervention [which targeted four personality risk factors: negative thinking (NT), anxiety sensitivity (AS), impulsivity (IMP), and sensation seeking (SS)] or to a no-intervention control. Measures utilized include the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS), and a self-reported cannabis use quantity and frequency measure (using the Reckless Behaviour Checklist). Results indicate that the intervention was associated with significant reduction in likelihood of reporting cannabis use and frequency of cannabis, with stronger effects reported for those students reporting sensation seeking personality profiles. Limitations include that the study did not examine the efficacy of the personality-targeted approach using a placebo-controlled design, a lack of inclusion of tools to assess clinical outcomes in the study, and reliance on self-reported measures.
STUDY OVERVIEW
Study Type: Randomized controlled trial
Participants: 438 students
Follow-up Period: 12, 24, and 36 months
Location: Australia
Study Population
- Age Range: 13–14 years (Mean=13.4 years)
- Gender: 57% Male
- Race/Ethnicity:not specified
- Status: Participants were year 8 students
Location/Institution: Fourteen Australian schools (New South Wales and Victoria)
Summary:
) The purpose of the study was to investigate the long-term effectiveness of PreVenture in reducing the uptake of alcohol, harmful use of alcohol, and alcohol-related harms over a 3-year period. Participants were students from schools that were block randomized to one of two groups: the PreVenture group and the control group (usual health education classes). Only students screening as high-risk on one of four personality profiles (anxiety sensitivity, negative thinking, impulsivity, and sensation seeking) were included in the analysis. Measures utilized include the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS), an abridged version of the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index, and drinking outcomes were assessed by a study-developed measure of the frequency and quantity over the past 6 months. Results indicate that relative to high-risk control students, high-risk PreVenture students displayed significantly reduced growth in their likelihood to consume alcohol, to binge drink, and to experience alcohol-related harms over 36 months. Limitations include reliance on self-reported data; randomization led to an imbalance in the sex split across the groups; some schools required active parental consent, which may have implications for the generalizability of the results; the subgroup analysis only used data from the high-risk students; and a lack of information about some measures’ psychometrics.
STUDY OVERVIEW
Study Type: Randomized controlled trial
Participants: 2190 students
Follow-up Period: 12 and 24 months
Location: Australia
Study Population
- Age Range: 13–14 years (Mean=13.3 years)
- Gender: not specified
- Race/Ethnicity: not specified
- Status: Participants were year 8 students
Location/Institution: Twenty-six Australian schools (New South Wales and Victoria)
Summary:
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the first combined universal and selective approach to alcohol prevention. Participants were students from schools that were randomized to the following four conditions: universal prevention (Climate Schools); selective prevention (PreVenture); combined prevention (Climate Schools and PreVenture [CAP]); or health education as usual (control). Some schools (n=17) required passive parental consent, while students at other schools (n=9) needed active consent due to ethical requirements. Measures utilized include the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS), an abridged version of the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index, and drinking outcomes were assessed by a study-developed measure of the frequency and quantity over the past 6 months. Results indicate that Climate, PreVenture, and CAP students demonstrated significantly lower growth in their likelihood to drink and binge drink relative to controls over 24 months. PreVenture students displayed significantly lower growth in their likelihood to experience alcohol harms relative to controls, and this was not demonstrated for the Climate schools. While adolescents in both the CAP and Climate groups demonstrated slower growth in drinking compared with adolescents in the control group over the 2-year study period, CAP adolescents demonstrated faster growth in drinking compared with Climate adolescents, suggesting that combining PreVenture with other universal approaches does not lead to additive benefits. Limitations include a reliance on self-reported data, an imbalance in the sex split across the groups, greater attrition occurring in the PreVenture group compared with the other groups, and a lack of information about measure psychometrics.
STUDY OVERVIEW
Study Type: Randomized controlled trial
Participants: 2190 students
Follow-up Period: 12, 24 and 36 months
Location: Australia
Study Population
- Age Range: 13–14 years (Mean=13.3 years)
- Gender: not specified
- Race/Ethnicity:not specified
- Status: Participants were year 8 students
Location/Institution: Twenty-six Australian schools (New South Wales and Victoria)
Summary:
The study used the same sample as Teesson et al. (2017). The purpose of the study was to examine the secondary mental health outcomes of two contrasting alcohol prevention approaches, whereby one intervention targets common underlying personality risk for alcohol use and mental health problems (PreVenture), and the other targets alcohol- and drug-related behaviours and cognitions (Climate Schools). Participants were students from schools that were randomized to the following four conditions: Climate Schools, PreVenture, combined Climate Schools and PreVenture (CAP), or treatment as usual (TAU). Measures utilized include the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS), the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Results indicate that main effects for each intervention relative to not receiving that intervention revealed significant main effects of PreVenture in reducing anxiety symptoms and a marginal effect in reducing depressive symptoms over 3 years. Interaction effects revealed that when delivered alone, PreVenture significantly reduced conduct problems and hyperactivity symptoms compared to TAU. The universal Climate Schools program did not show similar reductions in mental health symptoms. Limitations include the use of self-report data, school-level randomization led to an imbalance in gender across the groups, the study did not address the question of whether the interventions reduce the proportion of adolescents reaching clinical symptom thresholds, and lack of information about measure psychometrics.
STUDY OVERVIEW
Study Type: Randomized controlled trial
Participants: 2190 students
Follow-up Period: 1, 2, 3, 5.5, 7 years
Location: Australia
Study Population
- Age Range: 13–14 years (Mean=13.3 years)
- Gender: 57% Male
- Race/Ethnicity:not specified
- Status: Participants were year 8 students
Location/Institution: Twenty-six Australian schools (17 private, 9 public) (New South Wales and Victoria)
Summary:
The study used the same sample as Teesson et al. (2017).
The purpose of the study was to examine the sustainability of universal, selective, and combined alcohol use prevention across the critical transition period from adolescence into early adulthood. Participants were students from schools that were randomly assigned to deliver the following: (1) universal web-based prevention for all students (Climate Schools); (2) selective prevention for high-risk students (PreVenture); (3) combined universal and selective prevention (Climate Schools and PreVenture [CAP]); or (4) health education as usual (control). Measures utilized include the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS), an adapted version of the Patterns of Alcohol index, an abbreviated version of the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index, and drinking outcomes were assessed by a study-developed measure of the frequency and quantity over the past 6 months. Results indicate that at the 7-year follow-up, students in all three intervention groups reported reduced odds of alcohol-related harms compared to the control group, and the Climate and PreVenture groups reported lower odds of hazardous alcohol use. The PreVenture group also reported lower odds of weekly alcohol use compared to the control group, and the Climate group reported lower odds of binge drinking, holding mean baseline levels constant. Limitations include that the study is limited by data attrition because due to the length and timing of the follow-up period, 43% of participants could not be reached for the longer-term assessments; reliance on self-reported measures; lack of generalizability of findings due to the sample being comprised largely of Australian-born, English-speaking adolescents; and lack of information about some measures’ psychometrics.
STUDY OVERVIEW
Study Type: Randomized controlled trial
Participants: 438 students
Follow-up Period: 1, 2, 3, 5.5, 7 years
Location: Australia
Study Population
- Age Range: PreVenture: Mean=13.38 years; Control: Mean=13.41 years
- Gender: PreVenture: 81% Male and 19% Female; Control: 36% Male and 64% Female
- Race/Ethnicity:not specified
- Status: Participants were year 8 students
Location/Institution: Twenty-six Australian schools (New South Wales and Victoria)
Summary:
The study used the same sample as Teesson et al. (2017). The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of the selective personality-targeted PreVenture program in reducing cannabis and stimulant use over a 7-year period spanning adolescence and early adulthood. Participants were students from schools that were randomized to the following four conditions: a) the universal ‘Climate Schools’ program, (b) the personality-targeted selective ‘PreVenture’ program, (c) combined universal and selective intervention, and d) control group (health education as usual). The study focuses solely on schools in the PreVenture and control conditions, and only on students categorized as having high levels of 1 of 4 personality traits associated with substance use. Measures utilized include the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS); an adapted version of the Australian National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) was used to assess cannabis use in the past 6 months; and past 6-month use of MDMA, and cannabis-related harms were assessed using a set of questions adapted from the Adolescent Cannabis Problems Questionnaire. Results indicate that compared to controls, the PreVenture group had significantly reduced odds of annual cannabis-related harms. However, there were no significant group differences in the growth of cannabis use or stimulant use over the 7-year period. Limitations include high attrition at the 5.5 and 7-year follow-ups once students had left secondary school, more males were in the PreVenture group due to recruitment of a large number of all-male schools, lack of information about measure psychometrics, data only from PreVenture or control (health education as usual) arms used in this study, and reliance on self-reported measures.
STUDY OVERVIEW
Study Type: Randomized controlled trial
Participants: 8576 students
Follow-up Period: 12, 24, 30 or 36 months
Location: Australia
Study Population
- Age Range: 13-16 years
- Gender: 52% Female
- Race/Ethnicity: not specified
- Status: Participants were students
Location/Institution: Ninety-seven schools in Australia
Summary:
The study used the same sample as Newton et al. (2016) and Teesson et al. (2017). The purpose of the study was to explore the prevention effects of leading school-based prevention programs on co-occurring alcohol use and psychological distress. The Climate and PreVenture (CAP) trial included 2,190 students in 26 schools, while the Climate Schools: Alcohol and Cannabis and Climate Schools: Mental Health courses (CSC) trial included 6,386 students in 71 schools. Participants were from the combined data, which included the whole sample of 8,576 students in 97 schools randomly assigned to receive either health education as usual or a prevention program. Five prevention programs are compared: (1) Climate SU; (2) Climate MH; (3) PreVenture; (4) Climate Schools Combined (all students received both Climate SU and Climate MH); and (5) Climate SU and PreVenture (all students received Climate SU and high-risk students additionally received PreVenture). Measures utilized include the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS), the Kessler-6 (K6), the hyperactivity and conduct problems subscales from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), questions on alcohol use and distress, and drinking outcomes were assessed by a study developed measure of the frequency and quantity over the past 6 months. Results indicate that the combined Climate Schools: Alcohol and Cannabis and Climate Schools: Mental Health courses (CSC), as well as the PreVenture program, reduced the risk of adolescents reporting co-occurring alcohol use and psychological distress. Other evaluated programs (excluding Climate Schools: Mental Health) only appeared effective for reducing the risk of alcohol use that occurred without distress. Limitations include the inability to tease apart differences due to biological sex from sociocultural gender, and none of the evaluated programs in this study appear to target mechanisms that universally prevent psychological distress in the whole student population which occurs among adolescents who do not initiate alcohol use early.
STUDY OVERVIEW
Study Type: Randomized controlled trial
Participants: 3,756 (Intervention: 1,589; Control: 2,167)
Follow-up Period: 5 years
Location: Montreal, Canada
Study Population
- Age Range: Intervention: Mean=12.8 years; Control: Mean=12.8 years
- Gender: Intervention: 49% Female; Control: Not specified
- Race/Ethnicity: not specified
- Status: Participants were all 7th grade students enrolled at 31 secondary schools in the greater Montreal area in September 2012 and September 2013.
Location/Institution: Thirty-one public/private French and English high schools in Montreal (Canada)
Summary:
The purpose of the study was to investigate 5-year substance use disorder (SUD) outcomes following a selective drug and alcohol prevention program targeting personality risk factors for adolescent substance misuse. Participants were students from schools that were randomly assigned to a selective drug and alcohol prevention program targeting personality risk [now called PreVenture] or to a control group. Measures utilized include the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS), the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Detection of Alcohol and Drug Problems in Adolescents (DEP-ADO) questionnaire, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results indicate that when baseline differences were controlled for, a time-by-intervention interaction revealed positive growth in SUD rate for the control group and reduced growth for the intervention group, indicating a 35% reduction in the annual increase in SUD rate in the intervention condition relative to the control condition. Group differences in SUD rates were reliably nonzero (95% confidence) at the fourth and fifth years of assessment. Secondary analyses revealed no significant intervention effects on growth of anxiety, depression, or total mental health difficulties over the four follow-up periods. Limitations include reliance on self-reported SUD measures and missing data.