Substance misuse among adolescents remains a significant concern for educators and mental health professionals. Traditional universal prevention programs often fall short in addressing the needs of high-risk youth who are most vulnerable to developing substance use disorders. The research article "A Review of Personality-Targeted Interventions for Prevention of Substance Misuse and Related Harm in Community Samples of Adolescents" highlights the efficacy of personality-targeted interventions, such as the Preventure programme, in reducing substance misuse and related harms among adolescents.
The Preventure Programme: A Targeted Approach
The Preventure programme is designed to address four key personality risk factors associated with substance misuse: hopelessness, anxiety sensitivity, impulsivity, and sensation seeking. These traits are strong predictors of future substance use and related problems. By targeting these specific risk factors, the program aims to reduce substance use outcomes by approximately 50% among high-risk adolescents, with effects lasting up to three years.
Implementation Strategies
- Personality Assessment: High-risk students are identified using the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS), which measures personality traits linked to substance use.
- Brief Interventions: Selected students participate in two 90-minute group sessions focusing on their dominant personality profile. These sessions incorporate psycho-educational, motivational enhancement therapy (MET), and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) components.
- Community Integration: The program is embedded within schools, making it accessible to adolescents who may not have other opportunities for intervention.
Benefits of Personality-Targeted Interventions
The Preventure programme offers several advantages over traditional universal approaches:
- Resource Efficiency: By focusing on high-risk individuals, schools can allocate resources more effectively, ensuring that those most in need receive support.
- Diverse Impact: The program not only reduces substance misuse but also decreases the likelihood of transitioning to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
- Youth Engagement: When promoted as a skill-building workshop rather than a direct intervention for substance use, the program attracts a higher participation rate among adolescents.
Encouraging Further Research
The success of the Preventure programme underscores the importance of targeted interventions in adolescent substance misuse prevention. However, further research is needed to explore its efficacy across different substances and populations. Ongoing trials aim to address gaps in understanding its impact on smoking behaviors and prescription drug misuse.
Practitioners are encouraged to consider integrating personality-targeted approaches into their prevention strategies and to stay informed about emerging research in this field. By doing so, they can enhance their skills and contribute to more effective prevention efforts.
Conclusion
The Preventure programme represents a promising advancement in adolescent substance misuse prevention by focusing on modifiable personality risk factors. Its evidence-based approach has demonstrated significant reductions in substance use and related mental health issues. As practitioners seek to improve their skills and outcomes, embracing targeted interventions like Preventure can lead to more impactful prevention efforts.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: A Review of Personality-Targeted Interventions for Prevention of Substance Misuse and Related Harm in Community Samples of Adolescents.
