Evaluating the effects of a peer support programme on adolescents' knowledge, attitudes and use of alcohol and tobacco

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a peer support programme on adolescents' knowledge, attitudes and use of alcohol and tobacco. Year 7 students (average age 12 years) from three schools who offered the programme (n = 169) and from three schools without the programme (n = 157) c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Drug and alcohol review 2002-03, Vol.21 (1), p.7-16
Main Authors: WEBSTER, ROSEMARY A., HUNTER, MICHAEL, KEATS, JOHN A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
adolescents
alcohol
Alcohol consumption
Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology
Alcohol Drinking - prevention & control
Alcohol Drinking - psychology
Analysis of Variance
Attitude
Attitudes
Australia
Chi-Square Distribution
Child
Family - psychology
Female
Humans
Knowledge
Male
New South Wales
Peer Group
Peer helping programmes
peer support
Programmes
Public schools
Self-Help Groups - statistics & numerical data
Smoking
Smoking - epidemiology
Smoking - psychology
Smoking Prevention
Students
tobacco
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Summary:This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a peer support programme on adolescents' knowledge, attitudes and use of alcohol and tobacco. Year 7 students (average age 12 years) from three schools who offered the programme (n = 169) and from three schools without the programme (n = 157) completed a self‐report assessment. Perceptions of their parents' and friends' use of alcohol and tobacco and attitudes towards the participants' use of these substances as well as the participants' own attitudes (preferences and norms) and use of the substances were assessed on three occasions; pre‐intervention, post‐intervention and at 6 months follow‐up. There were no significant effects of the programme on participants' knowledge, attitudes and use of alcohol and tobacco. Over time, participants in both groups reported increased enjoyment of alcohol, increased use of alcohol and tobacco and more lenient attitudes towards these substances. In conclusion, the peer support programme failed to show any positive influence on adolescents' knowledge, attitudes and use of alcohol and tobacco.
ISSN:0959-5236
1465-3362
DOI:10.1080/09595230220119282