Intervention Effects on Health-Risking Sexual Behavior Among Girls in Foster Care: The Role of Placement Disruption and Tobacco and Marijuana Use

• NCJ Number: 244168
• Journal: Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 22 Issue: 5 Dated: November-December 2013 Pages: 370-387
• Author(s): Hyoun K. Kim; Katherine C. Pears; Leslie D. Leve; Patricia Chamberlain; Dana K. Smith
• Date Published: November 2013
• Length: 18 pages
• Grant Number(s): MH054257; DA023920; DA024672; DA027091
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the effects of the Middle School Success (MSS) intervention.

Abstract

The present study examined the effects of the Middle School Success (MSS) intervention, a program to promote healthy adjustment in foster girls, on their health-risking sexual behavior, using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. As hypothesized, girls in the intervention condition (N = 48) showed significantly lower levels of health-risking sexual behavior than did girls in the control condition (N = 52) at 36 months post-baseline. Further path analysis indicated that this intervention effect was fully mediated through its effects on girls' tobacco and marijuana use. Findings highlight the importance of providing preventive intervention services to foster girls during early adolescence. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.