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Abstract
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VioLit summary:
OBJECTIVE:
The intent of this article by Schinke et al. was to provide an overview of behaviorally-oriented preventive interventions with at-risk populations, especially racial-ethnic minority groups.
METHODOLOGY:
The authors employed a non-experimental design by reviewing health behavior research on Hispanic, black and Native American adolescents. The authors defined health behavior as the daily practices that affected physical and psychosocial functioning, and preventive intervention as actions which avoided human problems and encouraged adaptation. Three types of behavioral health issues which effected adolescents were reviewed by the authors: Unplanned pregnancy, substance abuse, and psychosocial stress.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
Unplanned pregnancy: In one longitudinal study of black, Hispanic and Native American high school students, an experimental group received sexual information, problem-solving abilities, and interpersonal communication skills. Compared to the control group, this experimental group had a statistically significant better pretest to post test and pretest to follow-up outcomes on measures of knowledge, attitudes, sexual activity postponement, parental communication, pregnancy prevention and family values. At the 3 year follow-up, none of the experimental subjects experienced an unplanned pregnancy, versus frequent reports by the control subjects. Substance abuse: One study involved 162 Native American adolescents, and those in the experimental group participated in 10 hourly group sessions on substance use facts, problem solving, and communication skills. Compared with the control group, the experimental group demonstrated knowledge gains; less alcohol, marijuana, and inhalant use; and more direct and indirect refusals and personal control. Psychological stress: One study of 293 minority sixth graders included an experimental group which received eight 50-minute sessions. The sessions covered problem-solving, self-instruction, and communication skills for stress management, with pretest and post test measures including levels of anxiety, self-esteem, problem-solving abilities, assertiveness, peer relationships, and readiness to enter junior high. The intervention group, compared to the control group, demonstrated higher scores on the generation of options, direct refusals, indirect refusals, coping skills adequacy, ability to handle stress, ability to deal with peer pressure, and readiness for stressful situations. According to the authors, the findings of these studies, when geared toward ethnic and racial minorities in the areas of unplanned pregnancy, substance abuse and psychosocial stress, demonstrated that behavioral preventive interventions were effective.
AUTHORS' RECOMMENDATIONS:
The authors concluded that although the studies identified in this article need further evaluation and refinement, they serve as important examples of preventive intervention. Social work behaviorists should therefore, according to the authors, refine and promote the science of prevention with ethnic-racial minority adolescents and other at-risk populations.
(CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado) |