Me and others': an evaluation of an interactive material for the prevention of non-substance addictions among high school students

The Portuguese General Directorate for Intervention on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (SICAD) developed a prevention program - 'Me and others'. Developed in 2006 and based on the planned behaviour model and on social influence theoretical framework, the program includes a set of interactive activities for youngers aged between 12 and 18 years old aiming to prevent addictions and risk behaviours. New improvements were made in 2021 on the activity directed for the prevention of non-substance addiction: the activity becomes more interactive as it involves players’ smartphones and a game master (an adult) that facilitates the processes of decision making among players from his/her computer. An evaluation of such activity is being conducted in a quasi-experimental study, with baseline and post-test, with a treatment/intervention (IC) and control condition (CC) , with high-school students (14-18 years old). The IC group includes 10 classes. Adult trained facilitators (e.g., teachers) are being involved (one per class in the IC).

Self-report instruments evaluate the knowledge about non-substance addictions and skills that protect them from risk factors of non-substance addictions and that promotes social and emotional competencies (e.g., responsible decision making, problem solving). Considering a multi-informant approach, adults’ facilitators also provide information for the same variables.

Results comparing the baseline and the post test will be presented and discussed according to the literature (e.g., planned behaviour model). This study aims to contribute to evidence-based prevention programs for non-substance addictions for high-school students.