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Abstract #156754

Sharon T. Wilburn, PhD, CHES, LMHC¹, Kenneth T. Wilburn, PhD², Dax M. Weaver, MPH³, Kathleen Bowles, MAT, EdD (c)⁴, and Marcy LaVine, BA⁴. (1) Public Health, University of North Florida, 4567 St. Johns Bluff Road South, Jacksonville, FL 32224, 904-620-1434, swilburn@unf.edu, (2) Counseling and Educational Leadership, University of North Florida, 4567 St. Johns Bluff Road South, Jacksonville, FL 32224, (3) Health-Tech Consultants, Inc., P.O. Box 331330, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233-1330, (4) Dvual County Public Schools, 1701 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32207

This two-year study assessed the impact of a school-based Student Assistance Program (SAP) in selected secondary schools in a large urban school district. The program's purpose was to reduce substance abuse, improve social adjustment, and self-concept of academic ability among at-risk secondary school students. The population consisted of two cohorts, grouped by program entry year for a total of 706 at-risk youth. A chi-square analysis of demographic characteristics indicated no statistically significant differences between the demographics of the two cohorts. A quasi-experimental, time series, repeated measures design was used. Assessment tools included the HTC ATOD-V Surveyİ, ZIP Student Questionnaire, Brookover Self-Concept of Ability (BSCA), and Reynolds Adolescent Adjustment Screening Inventory (RAASI). Results indicted a statistically significant (p < .05) reduction in alcohol and other drug use from pre-test to follow-up (a year after exit from the program) for alcohol, wine, cigarettes, marijuana, inhalants, amphetamines, cocaine, steroids, tranquilizers, prescription and over-the-counter drug use. Regarding attitudes toward violence, there were significant differences on questions related to hitting and being a coward, hitting first, hitting (family), and using a weapon. There also was a significant improvement on all sub-scales and total adjustment score on the RAASI, but no significant changes on the BSCA. A comparison of program participants and regular, non-program students using equivalent forms of the HTC ATOD-V Surveyİ showed that the SAP program students had higher ATOD use and more positive attitudes toward violence; the results of this study support the need for and effectiveness of interventions for at-risk youth.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify components needed to develop a comprehensive school-based prevention program for at-risk students.
• Recognize the need to use trained on-site counselors in prevention programming.
• Discuss the effectiveness of tertiary prevention strategies integrated in school-based prevention programs.
• Analyze the impact of school-based prevention programs on the health and wellbeing of at-risk students.
• Develop methods used to evaluate school-based prevention programs.

Keywords: Counseling, Substance Abuse

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.