Guiding Good Choices
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
Guiding Good Choices® (GGC), formerly known as Preparing for the Drug-Free Years, is a multimedia family competency training program that promotes healthy, protective parent-child interactions and reduces risk for early substance use. This universal prevention program targets families of middle school children (ages 9-14) of all races/ethnicities. The program is based on a social development model, which holds that strong bonding to positive influences reduces problem behaviors. The program is delivered in five weekly sessions designed to strengthen parents' child-rearing techniques, parent-child bonding, and children's peer resistance skills. Children attend one session, which concentrates on peer pressure. The remaining sessions involve only parents and include instruction on identifying risk factors for adolescent substance use, developing effective parenting skills, conflict and anger management, and involving children in positive family activities.
Goal / Mission
The primary goal of GGC is to reduce youth substance abuse and problem behaviors by increasing family involvement that is rewarding and enhances parent-child bonds.
Impact
Significant positive effects on increasing family involvement and interaction and reducing youth substance abuse were observed. A cost-benefit analysis estimates a $5.85 benefit for every dollar invested in the program.
Results / Accomplishments
Two evaluations used random assignment designs with large sample sizes and produced scientifically credible and significant program effects. The 1997 assessment showed significant positive effects on increasing proactive communication between parents and children, decreasing the degree of mothers' negative interaction with their children, and enhanced bonds and expressions of positive feelings (both general interaction and problem-solving).
The 1999 evaluation demonstrated positive effects for intervention parents and children. Compared with members of a control group, GGC parents showed improvements in child management skills, increases in parent-child affective quality, and higher ratings of mothers' self-efficacy. Compared with members of a control group, GGC children demonstrated significantly less alcohol initiation and positive trends in reducing tobacco and marijuana use.
A third study found that the program could have prevented an estimated 9% of control group individuals from engaging in drunkenness, 11% from experiencing alcohol-related problems and cigarette use, and 16% from engaging in illicit drug use.
The 1999 evaluation demonstrated positive effects for intervention parents and children. Compared with members of a control group, GGC parents showed improvements in child management skills, increases in parent-child affective quality, and higher ratings of mothers' self-efficacy. Compared with members of a control group, GGC children demonstrated significantly less alcohol initiation and positive trends in reducing tobacco and marijuana use.
A third study found that the program could have prevented an estimated 9% of control group individuals from engaging in drunkenness, 11% from experiencing alcohol-related problems and cigarette use, and 16% from engaging in illicit drug use.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Channing Bete Company
Primary Contact
Channing Bete Company
One Community Place
South Deerfield, MA 01373-0200
(800) 477-4776
custsvcs@channing-bete.com
http://www.channing-bete.com
One Community Place
South Deerfield, MA 01373-0200
(800) 477-4776
custsvcs@channing-bete.com
http://www.channing-bete.com
Topics
Health / Alcohol & Drug Use
Health / Adolescent Health
Community / Social Environment
Health / Adolescent Health
Community / Social Environment
Organization(s)
Channing Bete Company
Source
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's Model Programs Guide (MPG)
Date of publication
2000
Date of implementation
1987
For more details
Target Audience
Teens, Families
Additional Audience
Pre-Teens