The purpose of this study was to assess changes in 5th grade student’s refusal skills, assertiveness, level of anxiety and self confidence related to intentions toward tobacco, alcohol and drug use while experiencing the D.A.R.E. program. The Botvin Life Skills model for tobacco and alcohol use prevention was used to assess student’s changes at 3 points in time during the 5th grade. Research indicates that the longer we are able to delay use, the less likely a person is to continue use throughout their adult life. This cohort study examines a convenience sample of 137 5th grade students from two schools in a Midwest community. Correlations were used to compare intentions toward drug use and refusal skills, assertiveness skills, anxiety reduction skills, and self confidence. Across the two schools there was a significant relationship between intention to use and the ability to use refusal skills. Those students with decreased refusal skills scored higher on intention toward use. There was a significant relationship between intention toward drug use and the ability to just say “no” although there was no significant relationship on the students ability to use a variety of coping techniques. Thus students may be able to say “no”, but if challenged beyond saying “no” they may lack alternate ways of handling the situation. For the skills of assertiveness, anxiety reduction and self confidence there was a significant relationship with intention toward drug use. Those students who scored higher on these three skills, assertiveness, anxiety reduction and self confidence had lower intention toward drug use. These results indicate the need for an intervention program that strengthens the student’s ability to use a variety of refusal skills, increase assertiveness, learn skills to reduce anxiety, and strengthen self confidence to reduce intention toward drug use.
Session #1223 - Graduate Student Poster Session
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)