Citation

Slep AMS, Heyman RE, Lorber MF, Baucom KJW, Linkh DJ. Prev. Sci. 2020; 21(7): 949-959.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s11121-020-01156-w

PMID

32827290

PMCID

PMC7886265

Abstract

We evaluated the effectiveness of NORTH STAR, a community assessment, planning, and action framework to reduce the prevalence of several secretive adult problems (hazardous drinking, controlled prescription drug misuse, suicidality, and clinically significant intimate partner violence and child abuse [both emotional and physical]) as well as cumulative risk. One-third of US Air Force (AF) bases worldwide were randomly assigned to NORTH STAR (n = 12) or an assessment-and-feedback-only condition (n = 12). Two AF-wide, cross-sectional, anonymous, web-based surveys were conducted of randomly selected samples assessing risk/protective factors and outcomes. Process data regarding attitudes, context, and implementation factors were also collected from Community Action Team members. Analyzed at the level of individuals, NORTH STAR significantly reduced intimate partner emotional abuse, child physical abuse, and suicidality, at sites with supportive conditions for community prevention (i.e., moderation effects). Given its relatively low cost, use of empirically supported light-touch interventions, and emphasis on sustainability with existing resources, NORTH STAR may be a useful framework for the prevention of a range of adult behavioral health problems that are difficult to impact.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Child abuse; Child Abuse; Child, Preschool; Community; Community Networks; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Hazardous drinking; Health Promotion; Humans; Intimate partner violence; Intimate Partner Violence; Male; Military; Prevention; Program Evaluation; Risk Assessment; Substance-Related Disorders; Suicide; Suicide Prevention; Young Adult