Assessing the Real-World Effectiveness of Botvin LifeSkills Training in Public Schools
Open Access
- Author:
- Aviles, Charishma
- Graduate Program:
- School Psychology
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- May 01, 2019
- Committee Members:
- Jennifer L Frank, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Jennifer L Frank, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Barbara A Schaefer, Committee Member
Shirley Andrea Woika, Committee Member
Deborah Lynn Schussler, Outside Member - Keywords:
- Life Skills
substance use prevention
LST
intervention effectiveness
adolescent
school-based prevention
universal prevention
skills training
Life Skills
substance use prevention
LST
intervention effectiveness
adolescent
school based prevention
universal prevention
skills training - Abstract:
- Adolescent substance abuse can lead to detrimental long-term outcomes; thus, many schools have implemented programs to reduce both the incidence and prevalence of these issues. The Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) program has demonstrated promising results in randomized controlled trials, but program results outside randomized trials have been mixed. This study examined the effectiveness of LST in modifying risk and protective factors and resultant alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use among 6th-grade students in schools in the mid-Atlantic region. Propensity score matching procedures were used to form equivalent exposure and non-exposure groups, and hierarchical linear models were used to examine main program effects and tests of moderation. Overall, hierarchical models demonstrated limited utility of LST when comparing results of 13 treatment schools (Nstudents = 1,052) to 10 control schools (Nstudents = 494). Significant moderation effects were observed such that boys gained stronger treatment effects than girls on risk factors related to friends’ maladaptive behaviors, early drug use, lifetime cigarette use, and lifetime alcohol use. Unexpectedly, girls who received LST were more willing to use alcohol. Overall implications for practice and future study are also discussed.