Cluster-randomized trial of a German leisure-based alcohol peer education measure.
Because of scarce research, the effectiveness of substance abuse prevention in leisure settings remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of a peer-led educational prevention measure with adolescent groups in unstructured leisure settings, which is a component of the complex German nationwide 'Na Toll!' campaign. Using a cluster-randomized two-group post-test-only design, we tested whether the measure influenced component-specific goals, namely risk and protective factors of alcohol use such as risk perception, group communication and resistance self-efficacy. The sample consisted of 738 adolescents aged 12-20 years who were recruited at recreational locations and completed an online questionnaire 1 week after the peer education or recruitment event. Sixty-three percent of the sample participated in the 3-month follow-up assessment. Data analysis revealed post-test effects on risk perception, perceived norm of alcohol communication in the peer group and resistance self-efficacy. Follow-up effects were not observed, with the exception of a significant effect on risk perception. In conclusion, the peer-led education measure in leisure settings might have supported the adolescents in this study to perceive alcohol-related risks, to feel accepted to talk about alcohol problems with their friends and to be more assertive in resisting alcohol use in the short term.
IFT Institut für Therapieforschung, München, Germany buehler@ift.de.
Anneke
A
Bühler
IFT Institut für Therapieforschung, München, Germany.
Johannes
J
Thrul
Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) (Federal Centre of Health Education), Köln, Germany.
Evelin
E
Strüber
Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA) (Federal Centre of Health Education), Köln, Germany.
Boris
B
Orth
D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012307:Risk Factors; D020377:Self Efficacy; D055815:Young Adult
alcohol prevention; effectiveness; leisure setting; peer education