A wakeup call to the prevention field: are prevention programs for substance use effective for girls?
Substance misuse in adolescent girls has increased dramatically since 1992. This article reviews trends in use rates and etiological theories tested by gender that suggest that family protective factors have more influence on girls. Next, a literature review reveals that few prevention programs have published their outcomes by gender or developed gender-specific programs. Nationwide community coalition results found positive effects on boys but increased drug use in young girls. The most effective programs are family focused targeting family bonding, supervision, and communication. Recent gender-specific prevention programs with positive results address stress, depression, social assertiveness, and body image. The authors recommend additional research testing programs by gender and also gender-specific versus generic versions of evidence-based programs to determine how to improve prevention program effectiveness for girls.
Kumpfer
Karol L
KL
Department of Health Promotion and Education, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA. kkumpfer@xmission.com
Smith
Paula
P
Summerhays
Julia Franklin
JF
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D016387:Women's Health