Teen Leadership Academy (TLA): An Intervention for Enhancing Community Advocacy and Reducing Substance Use Among Youth in a Rural Community

• Published in: Journal of adolescent health Vol. 60; no. 2; p. S70
• Main Authors: Stanley, Angela C., Psy.D, Igler, Eva C., MA, Bever, Julie A., MS
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Elsevier Inc 01-02-2017; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Advocacy; Alcohol use; Children & youth; Cigarettes; Drug abuse; Drug use; Drugs; Enjoyment; Leadership; Marijuana; Pediatrics; Protective factors; Rural communities; Smoking; Students; Substance abuse; Traditions
• ISSN: 1054-139X; 1879-1972
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.10.322

An abstract of a study by Stanley et al discussing the Teen Leadership Academy (TLA) and evaluating its impact on participating students' risk and protective factors is presented. Thirty-eight students completed the TLA. The participants were primarily white (98%) and female (61%) with a mean age of 14.9 (SD = .71 ). Participants reported a low rate of substance use at baseline; less than 1% of students reported alcohol use and 3% reported abusing prescription drugs or smoking cigarettes or marijuana. This low rate was maintained throughout the year with no difference in pre-, mid-, or post-year reported use. Students reported significantly greater engagement in constructive community activities from pre-test to mid-year (F (31) = 4.75, p < .05). This reported improved community engagement was maintained at post-test, not significantly changing from mid-year to post-year (F (34) = .031, p = .86). Students reported significantly greater enjoyment in community traditions from pre- to mid-year (F (31) = 4.77, p < .05). This reported enjoyment was maintained, not significantly changing from mid- to post-year (F (34) = .86, p = .36).