Effectiveness of Family Interventions for Reducing Increasing Substance Abuse Among Girls: A Gender Analysis of the Strengthening Families Program (SFP) 6-11 Years

 Background and Significance. Worldwide adult women’s substance abuse is lower than in men except for prescription drug misuse. Because our cultures place different expectations on girls than boys, gender has been a protective factor for substance abuse among females worldwide. However, this gender gap began narrowing in adolescents in the mid-1990’s with girls abusing more alcohol, tobacco and drugs. In the USA girls and boys are equally likely to report ever use of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs (CDC, 2012).  Young 8^th grade girls actually report more 30-day alcohol and tobacco use (Johnston, et al., 2012). Unfortunately, girls transition more quickly from initiation to problem use (Ridenour, et al., 2006). Use during pregnancy, child maltreatment and drug treatment are very costly for governments.Girls substance use appear to be more influenced by their family according to the SEM-tested Social Ecology Model (CSAP, 2000; Kumpfer, et. al., 2008), the breakdown of families, changing social roles, and the media (Kumpfer, 2013). An analysis of all evidence-based substance abuse prevention programs worldwide found that few programs conducted gender analyses. Most of family interventions (7 of 8) which had published gender analyses, but only one of the 12 youth-only programs, were effective for girls (Kumpfer & Magalhães, UNODC, in press). 

Methods. This paper reports on a gender analysis for the Strengthening Families Program (SFP) which is one of the most effective prevention programs.  An archival SFP 6-11 Years database (n=1,700) was analysed using parent self-reported pre- and post-tests measuring 21 outcomes including five parenting, five family, and eight youth risk and protective scales plus parent substance use and depression. Statistical analyses employing 2 x 2 ANOVAs compared the 21 outcomes for girls versus boys, including tables for pre- and post-test means, SDs, mean changes, F-values, p-values and Cohen’s d effect sizes.

Results. Of the 21 outcomes measured, 19 were statistically significant for both girls and boys; however, the effect sizes were somewhat larger for girls than for boys, such as, for improvements in Family Organization (d. = .66 vs .63); Parental Involvement (d. = 0.52 vs .37); and Positive Parenting (d. = .63 vs .54).

Discussion. The gender analysis suggests that SFP is  equally effective for both girls and boys and on some outcomes even more effective for girls . Since we can’t assume that EBPs are effective for girls, researchers should conduct gender analyses to improve our knowledge of program effectiveness among girls.