Scientific Findings From Family Prevention Intervention Research

The critical role of family factors is acknowledged in virtually every psychological theory of substance abuse (Brook et al. 1990; Bry 1983; Catalano and Hawkins 1996; Dembo et al. 1979; Dishion et al. 1988; Elliott et al. 1989; Hawkins et al. 1992; Jessor 1993; Kandel and Davies 1992; Kaplan and Johnson 1992; Kellam et al. 1983; Kumpfer 1987; Newcomb and Bentler 1989; Oetting and Lynch 1993; Wills et al. 1992). Nevertheless, only recently have research findings about family protective and risk factors been applied in prevention intervention research. After briefly reviewing family factors that have been found to affect the probability of adolescent substance abuse, this chapter describes some ongoing prevention intervention research designed to alter family functioning in order to reduce adolescent substance abuse.