Mentoring adolescents to prevent drug or alcohol use

Thomas RE, Lorenzetti D, Spragins W

Published Online:

November 9, 2011

There are high rates of alcohol and drug use by many adolescents. Four randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were identified. All four RCTs were in the US and with adolescents described as deprived, and most were minority group adolescents. Two RCTs tested the "Across Ages" mentoring programme, one the Big Brothers/Big Sisters mentoring programme, and one an intervention with adolescents whose parents were HIV+. Two RCTs found that mentoring reduced rates of initiation of use of alcohol, and one reduced initiation of use of drugs. No adverse effects were identified. The relative youth of three of the samples made it unlikely that the interventions would be effective due to low baseline rates of usage. The studies assessed formal programmes, and as most mentors are informal their work remains un assessed.

Abstract (click to read)

Background:

Many adolescents receive mentoring. There is no systematic review if mentoring prevents alcohol and drug use.

Objectives:

Assess effectiveness of mentoring to prevent adolescent alcohol/drug use.

Search strategy:

Cochrane CENTRAL (issue 4), MEDLINE (1950-to July 2011), EMBASE (1980-to July 2011), 5 other electronic and 11 Grey literature electronic databases, 10 websites, reference lists, experts in addictions and mentoring.

Selection criteria:

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of mentoring in adolescents to prevent alcohol/drug use.

Data collection and analysis:

We identified 2,113 abstracts, independently assessed 233 full-text articles, 4 RCTs met inclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed risks of bias. We contacted investigators for missing information.

Main results:

We identified 4 RCTs (1,194 adolescents). No RCT reported enough detail to assess whether a strong randomisation method was used or allocation was concealed. Blinding was not possible as the intervention was mentoring. Three RCTs provided complete data. No selective reporting.

Three RCTs provided evidence about mentoring and preventing alcohol use. We pooled two RCTs (RR for mentoring compared to no intervention = 0.71 (95% CI = 0.57 to 0.90, P value = 0.005). A third RCT found no significant differences.

Three RCTs provided evidence about mentoring and preventing drug use, but could not be pooled. One found significantly less use of “illegal" drugs," one did not, and one assessed only marijuana use and found no significant differences.

One RCT measured “substance use” without separating alcohol and drugs, and found no difference for mentoring.

Authors' conclusions:

All four RCTs were in the US, and included “deprived” and mostly minority adolescents. Participants were young (in two studies age 12, and in two others 9-16). All students at baseline were non-users of alcohol and drugs. Two RCTs found mentoring reduced the rate of initiation of alcohol, and one of drug usage. The ability of the interventions to be effective was limited by the low rates of commencing alcohol and drug use during the intervention period in two studies (the use of marijuana in one study increased to 1% in the experimental and to 1.6% in the control group, and in another study drug usage rose to 6% in the experimental and 11% in the control group). However, in a third study there was scope for the intervention to have an effect as alcohol use rose to 19% in the experimental and 27% in the control group. The studies assessed structured programmes and not informal mentors.

This record should be cited as:

Thomas RE, Lorenzetti D, Spragins W. Mentoring adolescents to prevent drug and alcohol use. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 11. Art. No.: CD007381. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007381.pub2

Assessed as up to date:

March 6, 2011

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Primary Review Group:

Drugs and Alcohol Group

Health topics:

Tobacco, drugs, & alcohol dependence > Alcohol > Psychosocial interventions

Tobacco, drugs, & alcohol dependence > Polydrug use

Cochrane Summaries^beta

Independent high-quality evidence for health care decision making

Mentoring adolescents to prevent drug or alcohol use

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