Methodological Issues in Drug Use Prevention Research: Theoretical Foundations (From Drug Abuse Prevention Intervention Research: Methodological Issues, P 81-109, 1991, Carl G. Leukefeld and William J. Bukoski, eds. - see NCJ 140135)

• NCJ Number: 140140
• Author(s): B R Flay; J Petraitis
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 29 pages
• Grant Number(s): DA-03468; CA-44907
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse; US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Sale Source: Superintendent of Documents, GPO; National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: NIDA Research Monograph 107

Annotation

The theoretical foundations of drug use prevention program development and research are discussed in terms of the nature of theories in the social sciences, the actual theories of drug use onset and behavior change, and the functions these theories can play in methodology.

Abstract

In social sciences, theories are abstractions that aim to represent part of the world by a simpler structure. Theories simplify decisionmaking; predict the future; and allow generalizations from one instance, location, or group to another. Among the accepted theories used to analyze drug use onset are predictors of drug use; knowledge, attitude, and behavior (KAB) change; social learning theory; social environment; social bonding; and intrapsychic variables. These authors delineate 12 functions or roles of theory in the development and testing of drug use prevention programs. In terms of program development, theories can link theoretical elements and program components, reach consensus regarding the magnitude of program effects, and suggest the need for comprehensive programs. In prevention program evaluation, theories can link program components and intervening variables, inform program implementation and dissemination, inform external validity, target audience characteristics, inform social environment characteristics, inform construct validity, clarify cause-effect relationships and intervening variables, suggest short-term versus long-term effects, suggest unintended effects, inform measurement, and help explain effects of nontheoretically derived programs. More generally, theories of behavior allow researchers to discriminate between program and theory failure, contribute to social science knowledge, and contribute to research efficiency. 1 table, 4 figures, 4 notes, and 83 references