SFP 10-14 has been
scientifically evaluated in a randomized, controlled test with
families of sixth graders through Project Family at the ISBR
at Iowa State University. This large-scale, experimental design
trial involved random assignment of 33 Iowa Public Schools.
Outcome evaluations entailed the use of multi-informant, multi-method
measurement procedures at pretest, posttest, and follow-up data
collections completed approximately one half, one and one half,
two and one half, four, and six years after pretest.
Assessments included in-home videotapes of families in structured
family interaction tasks and in-home interviews that included
scales from standardized instruments and commonly used measures
such as the National Survey of Delinquency and Drug Use. A total
of 161 families participated in 21 intervention groups at eleven
different schools, with group sizes ranging from three to fifteen
families. Participation rates were high among pretested families.
Ninety-four percent of attending pretested families were represented
by a family member in five or more sessions.
An analysis of data demonstrated positive results for both parents
and youth. Comparisons between the intervention and control
groups showed significantly improved parenting behaviors (e.g.,
communicating specific rules and consequences for using substances,
controlling anger when communicating with the child, positive
involvement with the child, and better communication with the
child). Analyses of youth substance use and use-related child
outcomes (e.g., substance use, problem conduct, school-related
problem behaviors, affiliation with antisocial peers, peer resistance)
have demonstrated positive outcomes at follow-up assessments.
Compared with youth in the control group, those in the intervention
group showed statistically significant delays in initiation
of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use. For some outcomes, positive
results—differences between youth
who attended the program and the control youth—actually
increased over the six years of follow-up assessment.
09/03/06 -ISU research shows Extension programs produce long-term prevention of meth use
Iowa State University research programs designed to prevent destructive behaviors among youth have now been proven to be effective in reducing methamphetamine use by adolescents according to new results from two studies of more than 1,300 students from rural Iowa public schools by researchers from Partnerships in Prevention Science at Iowa State, working with ISU Extension. More...
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