Michael L Hecht - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Michael L Hecht

Addictive Behaviors, 2017

The present study reports a preliminary evaluation of D.A.R.E.'s new elementary school keepin' it... more The present study reports a preliminary evaluation of D.A.R.E.'s new elementary school keepin' it REAL substance abuse prevention program. Given the widespread dissemination of D.A.R.E., this evaluation, even though of short term effects, has important implications for national prevention efforts. The new prevention curriculum teaches social and emotional competencies such as decision making and resistance skills. Social and emotional competencies and other risk factors were examined among students (N = 943) in 26 classrooms, 13 classrooms in the treatment condition (n = 359) and 13 classrooms in the control condition (n = 584) using a quasi-experimental matched group design. Pretest comparisons of treatment and control groups were completed, along with attrition analyses, and hierarchical logistic and linear regressions were computed to assess the intervention. The results revealed that the intervention produced significant effects on preventative factors such as the likelihood of resisting peer pressure, increased responsible decision making knowledge and decision-making skills, and confidence in being able to explain why they would refuse offers of cigarettes. The results of this study suggest that D.A.R.E.'s elementary keepin' it REAL program has promise as a social and emotional learning (SEL) based prevention program.

Medicina

Background and Objectives: The opioid epidemic has permeated all strata of society over the last ... more Background and Objectives: The opioid epidemic has permeated all strata of society over the last two decades, especially within the adolescent student athletic environment, a group particularly at risk and presenting their own challenges for science and practice. This paper (a) describes the development of a web-based intervention called the Student Athlete Wellness Portal that models effective opioid misuse resistance strategies and (b) details the findings of a single-group design to test its effectiveness. Materials and Methods: Formative research included 35 student athletes residing in the United States, ages 14 to 21, who had been injured in their school-based sport. They participated in in-depth qualitative interviews to explore narratives relating to their injuries and pain management plans. Inductive analyses of interview transcripts revealed themes of the challenges of being a student athlete, manageable vs. unmanageable pain, and ways to stay healthy. These themes were tr...

JMIR Formative Research, 2019

Background: There is a need for evidence-based substance use prevention efforts that target high ... more Background: There is a need for evidence-based substance use prevention efforts that target high school-aged youth that are easy to implement and suitable for dissemination in school and community groups. The Youth Message Development (YMD) program is a brief, four-lesson, in-person curriculum that aims to prevent youth substance use through the development of youth media literacy. Specifically, YMD aims to increase understanding of advertising reach and costs, along with the techniques used to sell products; develop counterarguing and critical thinking skills in response to advertisements; and facilitate application of these skills to the development of youth-generated antisubstance messages. Although YMD has demonstrated evidence of success, it is limited by its delivery method and focus on alcohol and smoking. Objective: Study objectives were twofold: (1) to adapt the YMD curriculum to a self-paced, interactive, electronic-learning (e-learning) format and expand its content to cover alcohol, combustible cigarettes, e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, marijuana, and prescription drugs, and (2) to test the feasibility of the adapted curriculum in partnership with a national youth organization. Methods: An iterative process was employed in partnership with the 4-H youth development organization and a technology developer and consisted of six phases: (1) focus groups to guide adaptation, (2) adaptation to an e-learning format renamed REAL media, (3) pilot-testing of the REAL media prototype to determine feasibility and acceptability, (4) program revisions, (5) usability testing of the revised prototype, and (6) final revisions. Focus groups and pilot and usability testing were conducted with 4-H youth club members and adult club leaders. Results: Focus group feedback guided the build of an e-learning prototype of REAL media, which consisted of five online levels and interactive content guided by a mix of narration and on-screen text. Results of a pilot test of the prototype were neutral to positive, and the program was refined based on end-user feedback. An independent usability test indicated that youth 4-H members felt favorably about navigating REAL media, and they reported high self-efficacy in applying skills learned in the program. Additional refinements to the program were made based on their feedback. Conclusions: The iterative build process involving the end user from the outset yielded an overall successful technology-driven adaptation of an evidence-based curriculum. This should increase the likelihood of effectively impacting behavioral outcomes as well as uptake within community organizations.

Background: There is a need for evidence-based substance use prevention efforts that target high ... more Background: There is a need for evidence-based substance use prevention efforts that target high school-aged youth that are easy to implement and suitable for dissemination in school and community groups. The Youth Message Development (YMD) program is a brief, four-lesson, in-person curriculum that aims to prevent youth substance use through the development of youth media literacy. Specifically, YMD aims to increase understanding of advertising reach and costs, along with the techniques used to sell products; develop counterarguing and critical thinking skills in response to advertisements; and facilitate application of these skills to the development of youth-generated antisubstance messages. Although YMD has demonstrated evidence of success, it is limited by its delivery method and focus on alcohol and smoking. Objective: Study objectives were twofold: (1) to adapt the YMD curriculum to a self-paced, interactive, electronic-learning (e-learning) format and expand its content to cover alcohol, combustible cigarettes, e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, marijuana, and prescription drugs, and (2) to test the feasibility of the adapted curriculum in partnership with a national youth organization. Methods: An iterative process was employed in partnership with the 4-H youth development organization and a technology developer and consisted of six phases: (1) focus groups to guide adaptation, (2) adaptation to an e-learning format renamed REAL media, (3) pilot-testing of the REAL media prototype to determine feasibility and acceptability, (4) program revisions, (5) usability testing of the revised prototype, and (6) final revisions. Focus groups and pilot and usability testing were conducted with 4-H youth club members and adult club leaders. Results: Focus group feedback guided the build of an e-learning prototype of REAL media, which consisted of five online levels and interactive content guided by a mix of narration and on-screen text. Results of a pilot test of the prototype were neutral to positive, and the program was refined based on end-user feedback. An independent usability test indicated that youth 4-H members felt favorably about navigating REAL media, and they reported high self-efficacy in applying skills learned in the program. Additional refinements to the program were made based on their feedback.

Annual Conference of the National Communication Association, Nov 1, 2012

Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 2017

We appreciate the chance to respond to Caputi and McLellan’s (2017) article challenging the effec... more We appreciate the chance to respond to Caputi and McLellan’s (2017) article challenging the effectiveness of D.A.R.E.’s keepin’ it REAL prevention program. This article appears concurrent to the release of the U.S. Surgeon General’s report on addiction that highlights keepin’ it REAL’s effectiveness. Similarly, the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices and several other state and national agencies list keepin’ it REAL (kiR) as evidence-based. So, why are Caputi and McLellan at odds with the consensus about kiR? We believe that it is due to serious flaws in their analyses. Before continuing, we note that we are the co-creators of kiR and our company, REAL Prevention, owns the copyrights to the curriculum and licences it to D.A.R.E. First, the authors conflate different versions of the elementary school kiR program. The article discusses an early and out-of-date version developed by Arizona State University that exhibited no short-term effects and longer term iatrogenic effects. We concluded that this approach, based on a social influence model, was not age-appropriate for elementary school youth. Therefore, D.A.R.E. and REAL Prevention collaborated on an entirely new age-appropriate elementary school keepin’ it REAL curriculum that is based on social emotional learning. A pilot test, currently under review for publication, demonstrated significant positive effects on social and emotional skill development, refusal efficacy and knowledge. Thus, contrary to what Caputi and McLellen report, D.A.R.E.’s elementary version of kiR demonstrates promising rather than iatrogenic effects. Second, the authors conflate Arizona State University’s and Steiker’s versions of the middle school curriculum with the one D.A.R.E. is implementing. The D.A.R.E. version of the curriculum is based on the original kiR curriculum created by Hecht and others that was evaluated in a RCT and demonstrated positive effects (Hecht, Graham, & Elek, 2006; Hecht et al., 2003). Third, the paper mischaracterises the target audience concluding that the ‘‘program was developed specifically for a Hispanic audience’’, inaccurately citing Hecht et al. (2003). There were two trials conducted in the ethnically diverse Phoenix, AZ, area schools. The first trial tested the effects of two culturally targeted (Latino; Black-White) versions of kiR as well as a multicultural version (inclusive of these three ethnic groups). We concluded that the multicultural version and Latino versions both were effective across all ethnic groups, but that the multicultural version demonstrates broader effects and is clearly more useful in a variety of contexts (Hecht et al. 2006). The authors also exclude a third trial of the kiR program conducted in U.S. schools serving predominantly white students and published in the prominent journal, Prevention Science. This evaluation reports positive effects of kiR in Caucasian populations (Pettigrew et al. 2015). Fourth, we agree with the authors that the D.A.R.E. versions of these curricula should be independently evaluated. Few interventions are independently evaluated due to biases in the funding process, but we encourage the authors to pursue this. We do know that implementation through D.A.R.E. is likely to have high fidelity and quality as reported in a variety of studies (Bumbarger & Miller, 2007; Hammond et al., 2008). This likely results from D.A.R.E.’s rigorous training and support system including at least 80 hours of training over 10 days. Finally, the article touches upon, but does not fully engage issues of adaptation versus universal intervention. We have argued for culturally grounding prevention curricula and written about how this can be accomplished (Colby et al. 2013). Using the standards applied to kiR by Caputi and McLellan, every organisation would have to independently evaluate every new program it adopts with each new population in order support claims of using an ‘‘evidencebased’’ program. We believe this is simply impractical and argue for multicultural interventions like kiR. The D.A.R.E. curricula encompass cultural elements while staying true to the kiR narrative pedagogy and prevention strategy (MillerDay & Hecht, 2013) with presentational differences such as new but comparable videos and role-play activities (for more details, see Hecht, Colby, & Miller-Day, 2010). There is no evidence that adaptations such as these impact the program Related Article: 10.1080/09687637.2016.1208731

Prevention science : the official journal of the Society for Prevention Research, Jan 25, 2015

Mexican-heritage youth are members of the fastest growing minority group and are at particular ri... more Mexican-heritage youth are members of the fastest growing minority group and are at particular risk for substance use including alcohol consumption. Youth face numerous risk factors including positive descriptions of substance use on media and peer offers that are potentially ameliorated by parental anti-substance use socialization efforts. Guided by primary socialization theory and the theory of planned behavior, the present study posited eight research questions to identify discrete subgroups/patterns of Mexican-heritage youth alcohol use behavior and parental influence on youth outcomes. Longitudinal survey data (n = 1147) from youth in 29 public schools located in Phoenix, Arizona, were collected over 3 years. Latent class and transition analyses identified four discrete subgroups characterized by response patterns of alcohol use behaviors and perceptions in Mexican-heritage youth: (1) non-drinker, (2) potential drinker, (3) experimenter, and (4) regular drinker. Targeted parent...

Western Journal of Communication, 1997

... SANDRA PETRONIO and MICHAEL HECHT are Professors and LISA FLORES is an Assistant Professor in... more ... SANDRA PETRONIO and MICHAEL HECHT are Professors and LISA FLORES is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ. The authors would like to thank Professor Leah Vande Berg for allowing them the opportunity to ...

Journal of Applied Communication Research, 2011

This study seeks to identify how rural adolescents make health decisions and utilize communicatio... more This study seeks to identify how rural adolescents make health decisions and utilize communication strategies to resist influence attempts in offers of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 113 adolescents from rural school districts to solicit information on ATOD norms, past ATOD experiences, and substance offerresponse episodes. Rural youths' resistance strategies were similar to previous findings with urban adolescents-refuse, explain, avoid, and leave (the REAL typology)-while unique features of these strategies were identified including the importance of personal narratives, the articulation of a non-user identity, and being "accountable" to self and others.

… Research and Practice, 2010

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice Volume 3, Number 3, Spring 2010 © 2010 Center... more Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice Volume 3, Number 3, Spring 2010 © 2010 Center for Health Disparities Research School of Community Health Sciences University of Nevada, Las Vegas 68 HD RP JOURNAL OF Barriers, control and identity in health ...

Addictive Behaviors Reports, 2022

Highlights • Youth with more parental knowledge perceive higher vaping prevalence.• Youth with mo... more Highlights • Youth with more parental knowledge perceive higher vaping prevalence.• Youth with more parental knowledge perceive greater vaping harm.• Youth with more parental knowledge perceive less accepting of vaping.• Youth with greater parental media mediation report less lifetime vaping.

Contemporary Clinical Trials, 2022

BACKGROUND Opioid overdoses require a rapid response, but emergency responders are limited in how... more BACKGROUND Opioid overdoses require a rapid response, but emergency responders are limited in how quickly they can arrive at the scene for administering naloxone. If laypersons are trained to administer naloxone and are notified of overdoses, more lives can be saved. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the feasibility of the Opioid Rapid Response System (ORRS) that recruits, trains, and links citizen responders to overdose events in their community in real-time to administer naloxone. Aim of this paper is to present the protocols for recruiting participants through multiple communication channels; developing and evaluating the online training which has both interactive and asynchronous modules; randomly assigning laypersons to either online naloxone training or waitlist control group; measuring participants' knowledge, skills, and attitudes before and after the training; and distributing intranasal naloxone kits to participants for use in events of overdose in their community. METHODS Sampling: Utilizing a combination of purposive sampling methods, laypersons from across five Indiana counties who did not self-identify as current first responders were invited to participate. DESIGN In this two-arm randomized waitlist-controlled study (N = 220), individuals were assigned into either online training or waitlist control that received the training two weeks later. ANALYSIS A linear mixed model will be used for determining the changes in targeted outcomes in the training group and accommodate for fixed and random effects. IMPLICATIONS While ORRS can become a community-engaged, cost-effective model for technology-based emergency response for opioid overdoses, study protocols can be useful for other emergency response programs that involve laypersons.

Substance Use & Misuse, 2004

This article reports the results of research exploring how ethnicity and ethnic identity may ''pr... more This article reports the results of research exploring how ethnicity and ethnic identity may ''protect'' adolescents against drug use and help them form antidrug use norms. This study was conducted in 1998 and is based on a sample of 4364 mostly Mexican American seventh graders residing in a large southwestern city of diverse

Journal of Research on Adolescence, 2001

This article explores differences in the self-reported drug use and exposure to drugs of an ethni... more This article explores differences in the self-reported drug use and exposure to drugs of an ethnically diverse group of 408 seventh-grade students from a large city in the southwest. We contrast the explanatory power of ethnic labels (African American, non-Hispanic White, Mexican American, and mixed ethnicity) and two dimensions of ethnic identity in predicting drug use. One dimension focuses on perceived ethnically consistent behavior, speech, and looks, while the other gauges a sense of ethnic pride. Ethnic labels were found to be somewhat useful in identifying differences in drug use, but the two ethnic identity measures, by themselves, did not generally help to explain differences in drug use. In conjunction, however, ethnic labels and ethnic identity measures explained far more of the differences in drug use than either did alone. The findings indicate that the two dimensions of ethnic identity predict drug outcomes in opposite ways, and these relations are different for minority students and non-Hispanic White students. Generally, African American, Mexican American, and mixed-ethnicity students with a strong sense of ethnic pride reported less drug use and exposure, while ethnically proud White students reported more. Ethnic minority students who viewed their behavior, speech, and looks as consistent with their ethnic group reported more drug use and exposure, while their White counterparts reported less. These findings are discussed, and recommendations for future research are provided.

Journal of Drug Education, 2008

This study assessed the immediate and short-term outcomes of adapting a culturally-grounded middl... more This study assessed the immediate and short-term outcomes of adapting a culturally-grounded middle school program, keepin' it REAL, for elementary school students. After curriculum adaptation, 10 schools were randomly assigned to the intervention in 5th grade with follow-up boosters in 6th grade; 13 schools were randomly assigned to the control condition, implementing the school's pre-existing substance use prevention programming. Students ( n = 1,566) completed a questionnaire prior to curriculum implementation and follow-up questionnaires toward the end of 5th and 6th grade. The 5th grade kiR curriculum generally appeared no more effective than the control schools' programming in changing students' resistance or decision-making skills; substance use intentions, expectancies, or normative beliefs; or lifetime and recent substance use. Such findings have implications for the age appropriateness of school-based programs.

Journal of Applied Communication Research, 2006

This study sought to determine if exposure to two communication-oriented activities, videotapes a... more This study sought to determine if exposure to two communication-oriented activities, videotapes and public service announcements, accounts for changes in substance use among adolescents participating in the Drug Resistance Strategies Project's keepin' it REAL adolescent substance use prevention curriculum. Middle-school students (4,734, 72% Latino) responded to questionnaires related to these analyses. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model was fit separately

Communication Research, 2010

The web is a potentially powerful tool for communicating information to diverse audiences. Unfort... more The web is a potentially powerful tool for communicating information to diverse audiences. Unfortunately, all groups are not equally represented on the web, and this may have implications for online information seeking. This study investigated the role of class-and ethnic-based identity in self-perceived web-based information seeking/finding and self-efficacy. A questionnaire is administered, asking African Americans about their class and ethnic identities and web use to test a conceptual model predicting that these identities are positively related to web-based information seeking and web self-efficacy, which are then positively related to web-based information finding. Gender and previous web experience are expected to moderate the relationships. Structural equations modeling of these data support most of the predictions and indicate that these identities influence perceptions of online information seeking.

Contemporary Clinical Trials , 2022

Background: Opioid overdoses require a rapid response, but emergency responders are limited in ho... more Background: Opioid overdoses require a rapid response, but emergency responders are limited in how quickly they can arrive at the scene for administering naloxone. If laypersons are trained to administer naloxone and are notified of overdoses, more lives can be saved. Objective: This study aimed to examine the feasibility of the Opioid Rapid Response System (ORRS) that recruits, trains, and links citizen responders to overdose events in their community in real-time to administer naloxone. Aim of this paper is to present the protocols for recruiting participants through multiple communication channels; developing and evaluating the online training which has both interactive and asynchronous modules; randomly assigning laypersons to either online naloxone training or waitlist control group; measuring participants' knowledge, skills, and attitudes before and after the training; and distributing intranasal naloxone kits to participants for use in events of overdose in their community. Methods: Sampling: Utilizing a combination of purposive sampling methods, laypersons from across five Indiana counties who did not self-identify as current first responders were invited to participate. Design: In this two-arm randomized waitlist-controlled study (N = 220), individuals were assigned into either online training or waitlist control that received the training two weeks later. Analysis: A linear mixed model will be used for determining the changes in targeted outcomes in the training group and accommodate for fixed and random effects. Implications: While ORRS can become a community-engaged, cost-effective model for technology-based emergency response for opioid overdoses, study protocols can be useful for other emergency response programs that involve laypersons. ClinicalTrials.gov Registration Number: NCT04589676

Youth & Society, 2002

This article examines the intertwined roles of gender labels (male/female) and gender identity in... more This article examines the intertwined roles of gender labels (male/female) and gender identity in predicting drug-use behaviors and experiences of middle school students in a large, ethnically diverse, southwestern city. Three dimensions of gender identity are derived through factor analysis, one relating to femininity and nurturance, another relating to masculinity and self-confidence, and a third relating to masculinity and dominance. In bivariate and multivariate tests the authors find that masculine dominance is associated with higher frequency of recent drug use, particularly for boys' use of marijuana and hard drugs, with more drug offers and a greater variety of drugs used over their lifetimes. Gender identity measures do not supersede gender labels in predicting drug outcomes, but they are shown to be more powerful predictors in combination than separately. Possible relationships between gender identity and early adolescents' relationships with their ethnic groups, f...

Addictive Behaviors, 2017

The present study reports a preliminary evaluation of D.A.R.E.'s new elementary school keepin' it... more The present study reports a preliminary evaluation of D.A.R.E.'s new elementary school keepin' it REAL substance abuse prevention program. Given the widespread dissemination of D.A.R.E., this evaluation, even though of short term effects, has important implications for national prevention efforts. The new prevention curriculum teaches social and emotional competencies such as decision making and resistance skills. Social and emotional competencies and other risk factors were examined among students (N = 943) in 26 classrooms, 13 classrooms in the treatment condition (n = 359) and 13 classrooms in the control condition (n = 584) using a quasi-experimental matched group design. Pretest comparisons of treatment and control groups were completed, along with attrition analyses, and hierarchical logistic and linear regressions were computed to assess the intervention. The results revealed that the intervention produced significant effects on preventative factors such as the likelihood of resisting peer pressure, increased responsible decision making knowledge and decision-making skills, and confidence in being able to explain why they would refuse offers of cigarettes. The results of this study suggest that D.A.R.E.'s elementary keepin' it REAL program has promise as a social and emotional learning (SEL) based prevention program.

Medicina

Background and Objectives: The opioid epidemic has permeated all strata of society over the last ... more Background and Objectives: The opioid epidemic has permeated all strata of society over the last two decades, especially within the adolescent student athletic environment, a group particularly at risk and presenting their own challenges for science and practice. This paper (a) describes the development of a web-based intervention called the Student Athlete Wellness Portal that models effective opioid misuse resistance strategies and (b) details the findings of a single-group design to test its effectiveness. Materials and Methods: Formative research included 35 student athletes residing in the United States, ages 14 to 21, who had been injured in their school-based sport. They participated in in-depth qualitative interviews to explore narratives relating to their injuries and pain management plans. Inductive analyses of interview transcripts revealed themes of the challenges of being a student athlete, manageable vs. unmanageable pain, and ways to stay healthy. These themes were tr...

JMIR Formative Research, 2019

Background: There is a need for evidence-based substance use prevention efforts that target high ... more Background: There is a need for evidence-based substance use prevention efforts that target high school-aged youth that are easy to implement and suitable for dissemination in school and community groups. The Youth Message Development (YMD) program is a brief, four-lesson, in-person curriculum that aims to prevent youth substance use through the development of youth media literacy. Specifically, YMD aims to increase understanding of advertising reach and costs, along with the techniques used to sell products; develop counterarguing and critical thinking skills in response to advertisements; and facilitate application of these skills to the development of youth-generated antisubstance messages. Although YMD has demonstrated evidence of success, it is limited by its delivery method and focus on alcohol and smoking. Objective: Study objectives were twofold: (1) to adapt the YMD curriculum to a self-paced, interactive, electronic-learning (e-learning) format and expand its content to cover alcohol, combustible cigarettes, e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, marijuana, and prescription drugs, and (2) to test the feasibility of the adapted curriculum in partnership with a national youth organization. Methods: An iterative process was employed in partnership with the 4-H youth development organization and a technology developer and consisted of six phases: (1) focus groups to guide adaptation, (2) adaptation to an e-learning format renamed REAL media, (3) pilot-testing of the REAL media prototype to determine feasibility and acceptability, (4) program revisions, (5) usability testing of the revised prototype, and (6) final revisions. Focus groups and pilot and usability testing were conducted with 4-H youth club members and adult club leaders. Results: Focus group feedback guided the build of an e-learning prototype of REAL media, which consisted of five online levels and interactive content guided by a mix of narration and on-screen text. Results of a pilot test of the prototype were neutral to positive, and the program was refined based on end-user feedback. An independent usability test indicated that youth 4-H members felt favorably about navigating REAL media, and they reported high self-efficacy in applying skills learned in the program. Additional refinements to the program were made based on their feedback. Conclusions: The iterative build process involving the end user from the outset yielded an overall successful technology-driven adaptation of an evidence-based curriculum. This should increase the likelihood of effectively impacting behavioral outcomes as well as uptake within community organizations.

Background: There is a need for evidence-based substance use prevention efforts that target high ... more Background: There is a need for evidence-based substance use prevention efforts that target high school-aged youth that are easy to implement and suitable for dissemination in school and community groups. The Youth Message Development (YMD) program is a brief, four-lesson, in-person curriculum that aims to prevent youth substance use through the development of youth media literacy. Specifically, YMD aims to increase understanding of advertising reach and costs, along with the techniques used to sell products; develop counterarguing and critical thinking skills in response to advertisements; and facilitate application of these skills to the development of youth-generated antisubstance messages. Although YMD has demonstrated evidence of success, it is limited by its delivery method and focus on alcohol and smoking. Objective: Study objectives were twofold: (1) to adapt the YMD curriculum to a self-paced, interactive, electronic-learning (e-learning) format and expand its content to cover alcohol, combustible cigarettes, e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, marijuana, and prescription drugs, and (2) to test the feasibility of the adapted curriculum in partnership with a national youth organization. Methods: An iterative process was employed in partnership with the 4-H youth development organization and a technology developer and consisted of six phases: (1) focus groups to guide adaptation, (2) adaptation to an e-learning format renamed REAL media, (3) pilot-testing of the REAL media prototype to determine feasibility and acceptability, (4) program revisions, (5) usability testing of the revised prototype, and (6) final revisions. Focus groups and pilot and usability testing were conducted with 4-H youth club members and adult club leaders. Results: Focus group feedback guided the build of an e-learning prototype of REAL media, which consisted of five online levels and interactive content guided by a mix of narration and on-screen text. Results of a pilot test of the prototype were neutral to positive, and the program was refined based on end-user feedback. An independent usability test indicated that youth 4-H members felt favorably about navigating REAL media, and they reported high self-efficacy in applying skills learned in the program. Additional refinements to the program were made based on their feedback.

Annual Conference of the National Communication Association, Nov 1, 2012

Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 2017

We appreciate the chance to respond to Caputi and McLellan’s (2017) article challenging the effec... more We appreciate the chance to respond to Caputi and McLellan’s (2017) article challenging the effectiveness of D.A.R.E.’s keepin’ it REAL prevention program. This article appears concurrent to the release of the U.S. Surgeon General’s report on addiction that highlights keepin’ it REAL’s effectiveness. Similarly, the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices and several other state and national agencies list keepin’ it REAL (kiR) as evidence-based. So, why are Caputi and McLellan at odds with the consensus about kiR? We believe that it is due to serious flaws in their analyses. Before continuing, we note that we are the co-creators of kiR and our company, REAL Prevention, owns the copyrights to the curriculum and licences it to D.A.R.E. First, the authors conflate different versions of the elementary school kiR program. The article discusses an early and out-of-date version developed by Arizona State University that exhibited no short-term effects and longer term iatrogenic effects. We concluded that this approach, based on a social influence model, was not age-appropriate for elementary school youth. Therefore, D.A.R.E. and REAL Prevention collaborated on an entirely new age-appropriate elementary school keepin’ it REAL curriculum that is based on social emotional learning. A pilot test, currently under review for publication, demonstrated significant positive effects on social and emotional skill development, refusal efficacy and knowledge. Thus, contrary to what Caputi and McLellen report, D.A.R.E.’s elementary version of kiR demonstrates promising rather than iatrogenic effects. Second, the authors conflate Arizona State University’s and Steiker’s versions of the middle school curriculum with the one D.A.R.E. is implementing. The D.A.R.E. version of the curriculum is based on the original kiR curriculum created by Hecht and others that was evaluated in a RCT and demonstrated positive effects (Hecht, Graham, & Elek, 2006; Hecht et al., 2003). Third, the paper mischaracterises the target audience concluding that the ‘‘program was developed specifically for a Hispanic audience’’, inaccurately citing Hecht et al. (2003). There were two trials conducted in the ethnically diverse Phoenix, AZ, area schools. The first trial tested the effects of two culturally targeted (Latino; Black-White) versions of kiR as well as a multicultural version (inclusive of these three ethnic groups). We concluded that the multicultural version and Latino versions both were effective across all ethnic groups, but that the multicultural version demonstrates broader effects and is clearly more useful in a variety of contexts (Hecht et al. 2006). The authors also exclude a third trial of the kiR program conducted in U.S. schools serving predominantly white students and published in the prominent journal, Prevention Science. This evaluation reports positive effects of kiR in Caucasian populations (Pettigrew et al. 2015). Fourth, we agree with the authors that the D.A.R.E. versions of these curricula should be independently evaluated. Few interventions are independently evaluated due to biases in the funding process, but we encourage the authors to pursue this. We do know that implementation through D.A.R.E. is likely to have high fidelity and quality as reported in a variety of studies (Bumbarger & Miller, 2007; Hammond et al., 2008). This likely results from D.A.R.E.’s rigorous training and support system including at least 80 hours of training over 10 days. Finally, the article touches upon, but does not fully engage issues of adaptation versus universal intervention. We have argued for culturally grounding prevention curricula and written about how this can be accomplished (Colby et al. 2013). Using the standards applied to kiR by Caputi and McLellan, every organisation would have to independently evaluate every new program it adopts with each new population in order support claims of using an ‘‘evidencebased’’ program. We believe this is simply impractical and argue for multicultural interventions like kiR. The D.A.R.E. curricula encompass cultural elements while staying true to the kiR narrative pedagogy and prevention strategy (MillerDay & Hecht, 2013) with presentational differences such as new but comparable videos and role-play activities (for more details, see Hecht, Colby, & Miller-Day, 2010). There is no evidence that adaptations such as these impact the program Related Article: 10.1080/09687637.2016.1208731

Prevention science : the official journal of the Society for Prevention Research, Jan 25, 2015

Mexican-heritage youth are members of the fastest growing minority group and are at particular ri... more Mexican-heritage youth are members of the fastest growing minority group and are at particular risk for substance use including alcohol consumption. Youth face numerous risk factors including positive descriptions of substance use on media and peer offers that are potentially ameliorated by parental anti-substance use socialization efforts. Guided by primary socialization theory and the theory of planned behavior, the present study posited eight research questions to identify discrete subgroups/patterns of Mexican-heritage youth alcohol use behavior and parental influence on youth outcomes. Longitudinal survey data (n = 1147) from youth in 29 public schools located in Phoenix, Arizona, were collected over 3 years. Latent class and transition analyses identified four discrete subgroups characterized by response patterns of alcohol use behaviors and perceptions in Mexican-heritage youth: (1) non-drinker, (2) potential drinker, (3) experimenter, and (4) regular drinker. Targeted parent...

Western Journal of Communication, 1997

... SANDRA PETRONIO and MICHAEL HECHT are Professors and LISA FLORES is an Assistant Professor in... more ... SANDRA PETRONIO and MICHAEL HECHT are Professors and LISA FLORES is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ. The authors would like to thank Professor Leah Vande Berg for allowing them the opportunity to ...

Journal of Applied Communication Research, 2011

This study seeks to identify how rural adolescents make health decisions and utilize communicatio... more This study seeks to identify how rural adolescents make health decisions and utilize communication strategies to resist influence attempts in offers of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 113 adolescents from rural school districts to solicit information on ATOD norms, past ATOD experiences, and substance offerresponse episodes. Rural youths' resistance strategies were similar to previous findings with urban adolescents-refuse, explain, avoid, and leave (the REAL typology)-while unique features of these strategies were identified including the importance of personal narratives, the articulation of a non-user identity, and being "accountable" to self and others.

… Research and Practice, 2010

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice Volume 3, Number 3, Spring 2010 © 2010 Center... more Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice Volume 3, Number 3, Spring 2010 © 2010 Center for Health Disparities Research School of Community Health Sciences University of Nevada, Las Vegas 68 HD RP JOURNAL OF Barriers, control and identity in health ...

Addictive Behaviors Reports, 2022

Highlights • Youth with more parental knowledge perceive higher vaping prevalence.• Youth with mo... more Highlights • Youth with more parental knowledge perceive higher vaping prevalence.• Youth with more parental knowledge perceive greater vaping harm.• Youth with more parental knowledge perceive less accepting of vaping.• Youth with greater parental media mediation report less lifetime vaping.

Contemporary Clinical Trials, 2022

BACKGROUND Opioid overdoses require a rapid response, but emergency responders are limited in how... more BACKGROUND Opioid overdoses require a rapid response, but emergency responders are limited in how quickly they can arrive at the scene for administering naloxone. If laypersons are trained to administer naloxone and are notified of overdoses, more lives can be saved. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the feasibility of the Opioid Rapid Response System (ORRS) that recruits, trains, and links citizen responders to overdose events in their community in real-time to administer naloxone. Aim of this paper is to present the protocols for recruiting participants through multiple communication channels; developing and evaluating the online training which has both interactive and asynchronous modules; randomly assigning laypersons to either online naloxone training or waitlist control group; measuring participants' knowledge, skills, and attitudes before and after the training; and distributing intranasal naloxone kits to participants for use in events of overdose in their community. METHODS Sampling: Utilizing a combination of purposive sampling methods, laypersons from across five Indiana counties who did not self-identify as current first responders were invited to participate. DESIGN In this two-arm randomized waitlist-controlled study (N = 220), individuals were assigned into either online training or waitlist control that received the training two weeks later. ANALYSIS A linear mixed model will be used for determining the changes in targeted outcomes in the training group and accommodate for fixed and random effects. IMPLICATIONS While ORRS can become a community-engaged, cost-effective model for technology-based emergency response for opioid overdoses, study protocols can be useful for other emergency response programs that involve laypersons.

Substance Use & Misuse, 2004

This article reports the results of research exploring how ethnicity and ethnic identity may ''pr... more This article reports the results of research exploring how ethnicity and ethnic identity may ''protect'' adolescents against drug use and help them form antidrug use norms. This study was conducted in 1998 and is based on a sample of 4364 mostly Mexican American seventh graders residing in a large southwestern city of diverse

Journal of Research on Adolescence, 2001

This article explores differences in the self-reported drug use and exposure to drugs of an ethni... more This article explores differences in the self-reported drug use and exposure to drugs of an ethnically diverse group of 408 seventh-grade students from a large city in the southwest. We contrast the explanatory power of ethnic labels (African American, non-Hispanic White, Mexican American, and mixed ethnicity) and two dimensions of ethnic identity in predicting drug use. One dimension focuses on perceived ethnically consistent behavior, speech, and looks, while the other gauges a sense of ethnic pride. Ethnic labels were found to be somewhat useful in identifying differences in drug use, but the two ethnic identity measures, by themselves, did not generally help to explain differences in drug use. In conjunction, however, ethnic labels and ethnic identity measures explained far more of the differences in drug use than either did alone. The findings indicate that the two dimensions of ethnic identity predict drug outcomes in opposite ways, and these relations are different for minority students and non-Hispanic White students. Generally, African American, Mexican American, and mixed-ethnicity students with a strong sense of ethnic pride reported less drug use and exposure, while ethnically proud White students reported more. Ethnic minority students who viewed their behavior, speech, and looks as consistent with their ethnic group reported more drug use and exposure, while their White counterparts reported less. These findings are discussed, and recommendations for future research are provided.

Journal of Drug Education, 2008

This study assessed the immediate and short-term outcomes of adapting a culturally-grounded middl... more This study assessed the immediate and short-term outcomes of adapting a culturally-grounded middle school program, keepin' it REAL, for elementary school students. After curriculum adaptation, 10 schools were randomly assigned to the intervention in 5th grade with follow-up boosters in 6th grade; 13 schools were randomly assigned to the control condition, implementing the school's pre-existing substance use prevention programming. Students ( n = 1,566) completed a questionnaire prior to curriculum implementation and follow-up questionnaires toward the end of 5th and 6th grade. The 5th grade kiR curriculum generally appeared no more effective than the control schools' programming in changing students' resistance or decision-making skills; substance use intentions, expectancies, or normative beliefs; or lifetime and recent substance use. Such findings have implications for the age appropriateness of school-based programs.

Journal of Applied Communication Research, 2006

This study sought to determine if exposure to two communication-oriented activities, videotapes a... more This study sought to determine if exposure to two communication-oriented activities, videotapes and public service announcements, accounts for changes in substance use among adolescents participating in the Drug Resistance Strategies Project's keepin' it REAL adolescent substance use prevention curriculum. Middle-school students (4,734, 72% Latino) responded to questionnaires related to these analyses. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model was fit separately

Communication Research, 2010

The web is a potentially powerful tool for communicating information to diverse audiences. Unfort... more The web is a potentially powerful tool for communicating information to diverse audiences. Unfortunately, all groups are not equally represented on the web, and this may have implications for online information seeking. This study investigated the role of class-and ethnic-based identity in self-perceived web-based information seeking/finding and self-efficacy. A questionnaire is administered, asking African Americans about their class and ethnic identities and web use to test a conceptual model predicting that these identities are positively related to web-based information seeking and web self-efficacy, which are then positively related to web-based information finding. Gender and previous web experience are expected to moderate the relationships. Structural equations modeling of these data support most of the predictions and indicate that these identities influence perceptions of online information seeking.

Contemporary Clinical Trials , 2022

Background: Opioid overdoses require a rapid response, but emergency responders are limited in ho... more Background: Opioid overdoses require a rapid response, but emergency responders are limited in how quickly they can arrive at the scene for administering naloxone. If laypersons are trained to administer naloxone and are notified of overdoses, more lives can be saved. Objective: This study aimed to examine the feasibility of the Opioid Rapid Response System (ORRS) that recruits, trains, and links citizen responders to overdose events in their community in real-time to administer naloxone. Aim of this paper is to present the protocols for recruiting participants through multiple communication channels; developing and evaluating the online training which has both interactive and asynchronous modules; randomly assigning laypersons to either online naloxone training or waitlist control group; measuring participants' knowledge, skills, and attitudes before and after the training; and distributing intranasal naloxone kits to participants for use in events of overdose in their community. Methods: Sampling: Utilizing a combination of purposive sampling methods, laypersons from across five Indiana counties who did not self-identify as current first responders were invited to participate. Design: In this two-arm randomized waitlist-controlled study (N = 220), individuals were assigned into either online training or waitlist control that received the training two weeks later. Analysis: A linear mixed model will be used for determining the changes in targeted outcomes in the training group and accommodate for fixed and random effects. Implications: While ORRS can become a community-engaged, cost-effective model for technology-based emergency response for opioid overdoses, study protocols can be useful for other emergency response programs that involve laypersons. ClinicalTrials.gov Registration Number: NCT04589676

Youth & Society, 2002

This article examines the intertwined roles of gender labels (male/female) and gender identity in... more This article examines the intertwined roles of gender labels (male/female) and gender identity in predicting drug-use behaviors and experiences of middle school students in a large, ethnically diverse, southwestern city. Three dimensions of gender identity are derived through factor analysis, one relating to femininity and nurturance, another relating to masculinity and self-confidence, and a third relating to masculinity and dominance. In bivariate and multivariate tests the authors find that masculine dominance is associated with higher frequency of recent drug use, particularly for boys' use of marijuana and hard drugs, with more drug offers and a greater variety of drugs used over their lifetimes. Gender identity measures do not supersede gender labels in predicting drug outcomes, but they are shown to be more powerful predictors in combination than separately. Possible relationships between gender identity and early adolescents' relationships with their ethnic groups, f...