A METAANALYSIS OF ADOLESCENT SMOKING PREVENTION PROGRAMS

Objectives. A large number of studies evaluating adolescent smoking pr evention programs have been published. Systematic quantitative reviews of this literature are needed to learn what does and does not work. T he present meta-analysis focuses on the efficacy of school-based progr ams. Methods. Evaluations of 94 separate interventions were included i n the meta-analysis. Studies were screened for methodological rigor an d those with weaker methodology were segregated from those with more d efensible methodology; major analyses focused on the latter. Results. Behavioral effect sizes were found to be largest for interventions wit h a social reinforcement orientation, moderate for interventions with either a development or a social norms orientation, and small for inte rventions with the traditional rational orientation. Attitude effect s izes followed the same patter, but knowledge effect sizes were similar across all four orientation categories. Conclusions. Because behavior al effect represents the fundamental objective of programs for prevent ion of adolescent tobacco use, the present results indicate that schoo l-based programs should consider adopting interventions with a social reinforcement, social norms or developmental orientation.