It is an oft-repeated fear, particularly among parents: that discussing an undesirable behavior, or even an illegal or dangerous one, may encourage kids to try it.
But when it comes to asking pre-teens about alcohol, drug and tobacco use, a UW Social Development Research Group (SDRG)-led study finds no evidence that children will, as a consequence of being asked about it, use the substance in question.
The study by the School of Social Work’s research group, published in the October issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health, focused on school-based surveys of fifth- and sixth-graders to determine whether their behaviors changed over time. The research team found that, among two groups of students — one surveyed in fifth and sixth grade, and a control group surveyed only in sixth grade—substance use did not increase following student participation in the surveys.
Schools often survey students for a variety of purposes; this study, lead author John Briney said, indicates that surveys about substance use can provide useful information without increasing risk.
“We hope that it puts community members at ease about collecting data in the schools for prevention purposes. It’s a relatively unobtrusive, inexpensive method to gather data,” said Briney, senior data manager for SDRG. “Communities can use data to guide prevention efforts and not worry they’re harming students.”