SHAHRPSchool Health and Alcohol Harm Reduction Project

Maura Kearney and Kate Watson

September 2012Glasgow Psychological Service &

Inverclyde Educational Psychology Service

Purpose of the presentation

Provide overview of the intervention Give information on its effectiveness

in Northern Ireland study and the implications for Scotland’s implementation

Working with other authorities in the future

Problematic Drinking

Associated with: School truancy School exclusion Unsafe sexual behaviour Accident/injury Aggressive behaviour Peer difficulties Fatal injuries Addiction in later life

Object of the Research Project

Is a school based input effective in reducing hazardous drinking?

Will the harm that is associated with alcohol use in young people reduce when they have received this input?

Will a parenting component of the project support the reduction in hazardous drinking amongst young people?

What/who is involved in the intervention?

Guidance staff are trained to deliver a 12 part PSE programme over two years (starting in S2)

Parents are offered separate training and development evening sessions run by workers trained to deliver the parent programme

Assessment of Possible Benefits

Assessing alcohol cognitions Measuring alcohol consumption Measuring of alcohol related

behaviour Standardised and validated

measures will be used

Scotland & Northern Ireland

Ireland & Scotland were historically different (Loretto, 1994) in relation to alcohol

Now similar prevalence of alcohol intake

Now similar lifetime drunkenness

Alcohol Statistics Scotland 2009

Results of Northern Irish Project

Problematic drinking is predicted by: Having higher social self-efficacy Lower academic self-efficacy Better peer communication Less trust of parents Less strict parental rules on alcohol

Results of Northern Irish Project

Reduction in harm to self when drinking

Reduction in harm to others Less units of alcohol taken Knowledge about alcohol increased Attitudes towards alcohol were

more informed Effects last up to 18 months post

intervention

Northern Irish Project

2349 participants 13.8 years – mean age of

participant Culturally adapted Project was analysed by the

University of Liverpool

What the intervention covers

Myths & general information Making choices/Alcohol & the body Units & matching use to

consequences Alcohol & other drugs Alcohol & the media/How reduce

harm? Real scenarios & debates

What the project entails?

All schools will have pre & post measures

Experimental schools will have staff trained in the materials

Parents will be offered parenting classes

Implementation will take 2 years – S2 & S3

British Medical Journal

“Much more money should be spent in attempting to replicate and develop endeavours that have produced positive outcomes such as the … school health and alcohol harm reduction programme (SHAHRP), a harm minimisation programme for school students”.

BMJ 2004

Glasgow & Inverclyde

33 secondary schools involved across the 2 authorities

50% control 50% experimental All pupils in S2 have undergone

attitudinal assessments Intervention begins in August 2012

Glasgow & Inverclyde

Utilising scarce resources effectively Strategic focus Evidence based approach to

supporting young people Applying universal principles and

contributing to action research

Any questions?

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