Delinquency Behaviors and Substance Use of Youth Exposed to the keepin’ it REAL Substance Use Prevention Program

Source:

Choi, H. J., Hecht, M. L., Pezalla, A., & Miller-Day, M. (2022). Delinquency behaviors and substance use of youth exposed to the keepin' it REAL substance use prevention program. Advances in Preventive Medicine and Health Care, 5, 1033.

Abstract

Introduction: Guided by problem behavior theory, this study examined the clustering of substance use and delinquency among early adolescents. Using longitudinal data, we also examined the effects of the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)-based intervention keepin’ it REAL (kiR) on class membership and transitions over time. Methods: A total of 3,921 seventh graders (51% male) participated in a randomized clinical trial conducted in the Midwest and middle Atlantic regions of the U.S. We assessed past-month substance use and past-year delinquency at baseline (beginning of 7th grade) and 2 follow-up periods (end of 8th and 9th grades). Results: Latent transition analysis identified four statuses across control and treatment conditions: Mild-Moderate Delinquency Behavior (MDB), Polysubstance Use + Moderate-Severe Delinquency Behaviors (PDB), Alcohol Use (AU), and No Risk (NR). Youth in the PDB status at Time 1 receiving the kiR intervention were more likely to transition to the NR status at Time 3 compared with the same status in the control condition. Furthermore, youth in the AU status at Time 3 exposed to kiR were less likely to transition to the PDB status at Time 4 compared with the same status in the control condition. Conclusion: Youth may benefit from exposure to SEL programs, such as kiR, which shows promise for reducing dual presenting problems (polysubstance use and delinquency) among higher-risk early adolescents (the PDB status). Further research should explore why and how kiR influences certain status at different time points.