Differences by Gender, Ethnicity, and Acculturation in the Efficacy of the Keepin' It REAL Model Prevention Program

• NCJ Number: 220235
• Journal: Journal of Drug Education Volume: 37 Issue: 2 Dated: 2007 Pages: 123-144
• Author(s): Stephen Kulis; Scott T. Yabiku; Flavio F. Marsiglia; Tanya Nieri; Ashley Crossman
• Date Published: 2007
• Length: 22 pages
• Grant Number(s): R01 DA14825; R24 DA13937-01
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined whether the effectiveness of keepin’ it REAL, a model program for substance use prevention in schools, was moderated by gender, ethnicity, and acculturation.

Abstract

The randomized trial of keepin’ it REAL provided rich data to test for gender differences in program effectiveness by including substantial numbers of students from ethnically and culturally distinct subgroups: less linguistically acculturated Latinos, more linguistically acculturated Latinos, and non-Latino Whites. As expected, there were no gender differences in program effectiveness overall; instead, there was a pattern gender difference only in the subgroup that reflected more polarized gender roles, less linguistically acculturated Latinos. Among this group, the intervention was significantly more effective among boys than among girls in preventing increases in recent alcohol and cigarette use and in retarding the adoption of pro-drug norms. No gender differences in program effectiveness were found for any other subgroup. Less acculturated Latina and White girls were at the lowest level of risk. Less acculturated Latino boys, with their higher baseline substance use rates and stronger pro-drug norms, benefited more immediately from the intervention than their female counterparts. The results of this study, while generally verifying the effectiveness of gender inclusive prevention strategies, also suggests that prevention efforts may be strengthened by attending to the special risks and resiliencies of certain subgroups of female and male youth. A recurring question surrounding prevention programs is how much they vary in effectiveness depending on participants’ substance use experience, substance use risk, and other individual characteristics. Although gender differences have been identified in the level of risk for substance use, and in its causes, progression, and consequences, few prevention programs have been tested for their effectiveness across gender groups. This study explored gender differences in the effectiveness of keepin’ it REAL, a universal substance use prevention program for middle school students. The 2-year study began in 1998 in 35 Phoenix middle schools. Tables, references