Meta-Analysis of Family-Based Prevention Programs for Adolescent Substance Use

Research has consistently linked family-based factors (e.g., parental monitoring) with the initiation and escalation of substance use in adolescence. Numerous family-based prevention programs have been developed that attempt to reduce adolescent substance use by addressing the underlying issues within the family system. These family-based programs emphasize the manner in which parenting practices and family interaction patterns can impact, and be impacted by, adolescent behavior and attitudes related to substance use. Family-based prevention programs work with family members to modify and manage emotions, cognitions, and behaviors within the family and create positive change in both individual behavior and interaction patterns among family members. These changes can, in turn, reduce adolescent substance use.

Although these family-based prevention programs are widely seen as successful, there is a lack of research that investigates exactly why they are successful. Recent research has also questioned whether family-based factors exert similar effects across the entirety of adolescence; for example, parental monitoring may be a more effective deterrent of substance use in early adolescence, whereas family relationships may be more important later in adolescence (Van Ryzin et al., 2012).

To address these issues, we are conducting a meta-analysis of family-based prevention programs for adolescent substance use to determine which individual program components are most strongly linked to success in reducing substance use. As part of this project, we will decompose each prevention program into its core components (e.g., behavior management, family relationships, communication and problem solving, self-regulation and stress management, etc.) and evaluate whether these components exhibit additive or synergistic (i.e., interactive) effects on youth substance use. We will also evaluate the degree to which various sample-specific factors (e.g., youth age and gender, family risk level) moderate the link between program components and change in adolescent substance use; for example, family management training may be associated with reduced substance use, but more strongly in early adolescence. The meta-analytic approach will provide an empirical, objective, quantifiable evaluation of program component effectiveness while controlling for factors that can influence outcomes, such as study design, rate of engagement and attrition, and operational definitions of outcome measures. Our project will provide a stronger understanding of how these programs work and will directly inform future prevention efforts targeting adolescent substance use.

We are currently in the process of coding programs and studies and will be able to provide preliminary results at SPR 2014.