Interactive technology for media literacy drug prevention in community groups

The goals of this Phase II STTR are to evaluate the outcomes of REAL mediaan interactiveselfpacede learning substance use prevention media literacy curriculum and prepare it for marketing to community organizationsincluding our partnerHSubstance use increases in frequency and risk through mid adolescenceyet prevention interventions primarily target early useare time intensiveand are implemented in a limited number of settings such as schoolsMoreoverthey often fail to address the media saturated lives of youth despite research demonstrating the deleterious effects of advertising and entertainment mediaThis provides a market niche for the proposed project that addresses this curriculum gap through the innovative use of both technology and prevention scienceGuided by the new Theory of Active InvolvementREAL media develops critical perspective taking about substance use decisions and confers resistance to pro druge galcoholcigarettese cigarettesmarijuanasmokeless tobaccomessages through youth analysis of pro drug media messages combined with interactive media manipulation and active involvement of youth participants in creating their own anti ATOD prevention messagesThese youth created messages are then entered into an online contest via a social media proliferation strategyi eyouth recruit others to view their messages on social mediae gFacebookYouTubeto win the contestin which messages are diffused to the wider communityThe curriculum demonstrated promising results when administered face to face during an NIH funded pilot studyand the Phase I project demonstrated excellent usability and feasibility for online delivery throughH clubsDuring Phase IIwe will finalize the program and conduct a group randomized clinical trial amongH clubs in four statesNJOHMDand PAClubs will be randomly assigned to use the curriculum or continue current practices with the option for delivery at the end of the studyH membersageswill complete a pretestimmediate posttest and follow up posttests atandmonths to assess effectsResults will guide preparation of REAL media for the marketThe flexibility of the briefonline formatfourminute levels plus a fifth message planning and production levelfor youth in individual or group settings makes this ideal for both community and school implementationThusREAL media is well suited for rapid dissemination through our existing partnersHD A R Eand Boys and Girls Clubsas well as other potential community partnerse gYM WCABoys and Girl Scoutsand is appropriate for Phase II funding Project Narrative This Phase II STTR will evaluate an interactiveself pacede learning media literacy interventionREAL mediato prevent youth substance use and prepare it for marketing to youth community organizations and schoolsREAL media has the potential for wide impact on youth substance use through implementation inHD A R Eand Boys and Girls Clubsas well as on their peers in the community via exposure to anti drug messages through social media