Under pressure program: using live theatre to investigate adolescents' attitudes and behavior related to drug and alcohol abuse education and prevention

Adolescence, Spring, 1993 by L. Arthur Safer, Carol Gibb Harding

Table 1
Tests of Significance for Total Pretest Attitudinal Scores
Source of Variation         SS      DF     MS       F     p
Within Cells             12957.88   38    34.10   22.11   .000
Group (Exp, Control)       753.92    1   753.9
Table 2
Tests of Significance for Total Posttest Attitudinal Scores
Source of Variation         SS      DF     MS       F     p
Within Cells               163.96   33     4.97
Regression                 120.82    1   120.82   24.32   .000
Group (Exp, Control)         3.46    1     3.46     .70   .410

A second goal is to examine the effectiveness of live theatre, via postperformance dialogue and role playing, in soliciting feedback from adolescents as to their own feelings about substance abuse and using school counselors and other available resources. One program objective is to increase the rate of self-reporting of adolescents' feelings and attitudes about substance abuse, as measured by responses on a standardized questionnaire, immediately after observing Captain Clean.

A brief questionnaire was completed by each student immediately following the Captain Clean performance. The primary source of information obtained from this instrument was the number of students indicating a positive reaction to the performance by requesting counseling immediately afterwards. To date, out of 939 questionnaires, 178 requests for counseling have been recorded. Thus, approximately 19% of the students participating in the theatrical presentation were not only willing to express their feelings through the discussion and questionnaire, but also were motivated to request further counseling.

Other program objectives are: to identify adolescents' self-reported attitudes about peer influence on substance abuse, as indicated on a standardized questionnaire, immediately following Captain Clean; to identify adolescents' self-reported use of school counselors in regard to substance abuse, as indicated on a standardized questionnaire, immediately following Captain Clean; and to identify adolescents' self-reported use of parents and community agents in regard to substance abuse, as indicated on a standardized questionnaire, immediately following Captain Clean.

Results were obtained through field notes recorded by the counselor, who acted as a participant-observer in the theatre performance and discussion. The counselor recorded information derived from students' behaviors displayed during the performance and group discussion.

Over 1,000 students from nine high schools have been observed by the counselor. Information derived from the counselor's field notes is summarized below.

Peer influences. Both males and females consistently indicated that it is difficult to withstand peer pressure to engage in substance abuse. Females specifically expressed difficulty in withstanding the pressure exerted by their boyfriends. Most adolescents indicated that friends should not manipulate each other to use drugs or alcohol, although many had experienced such behavior. Most adolescents were unable to explain how they could help friends who were abusing alcohol or drugs other than by talking to them or getting other friends to talk to them.