Brief multiple behavior health interventions for older adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined whether brief intervention strategies founded on the Behavior-Image Model and addressing positive images of college and career success could be potentially efficacious in impacting multiple health habits of high-risk adolescents transitioning into adulthood.


METHODS
Participants were stratified by grade level and drug use and individually randomized to one of the three Plan for Success interventions, with baseline and 1 month postintervention data collections.


METHODS
A large, relatively diverse suburban school in northeast Florida.


METHODS
A total of 375 11th and 12th grade students participated during the spring semester 2006.


METHODS
Three interventions studied included: (1) Goal Survey, (2) Goal Survey plus Contract, or (3) Goal Survey plus Consult.


METHODS
Outcome measures included multiple health risk, health promotion, and personal development behaviors, as well as image and belief measures.


METHODS
Repeated-measures MANOVAs and ANOVAs were used to examine intervention effects.


RESULTS
MANOVAs were significant for alcohol use, F(4,328) = 6.33, p = .001; marijuana use, F(4,317) = 3.72, p = .01; exercise, F(3,299 = 4.28, p = .01; college preparation, F(2,327) = 6.26, p = .001; and career preparation, F(2,329) = 6.17, p = .001, with most behaviors improving over time, whereas group-by-time interaction effects were found for nutrition habits, F(6,652) = 2.60, p = .02; and career preparation, F(4,658) = 3.26, p = .01, favoring the consultation.


CONCLUSIONS
Brief interventions founded on the Behavior-Image Model may have potential to improve selected health and personal development habits among older adolescents.
Werch
Chudley E
CE
Addictive & Health Behaviors Research Institute, Department of Health Education & Behavior, University of Florida, 7800 Belfort Parkway, Suite 270, Jacksonville, FL 32256, USA. cwerch@hhp.ufl.edu
Bian
Hui
H
Moore
Michele J
MJ
Ames
Steven C
SC
DiClemente
Carlo C
CC
Thombs
Dennis
D
Pokorny
Steven B
SB
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002188:Cannabis; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009752:Nutritional Status; D016730:Program Development; D011594:Psychometrics; D012907:Smoking