Janis B. Kupersmidt|Tracy M. Scull|Erica Weintraub Austin
Media Literacy Education for Elementary School Substance Use Prevention: Study of Media Detective
Innovation Research and Training|Innovation Research and Training|Washington State University
media detective 10lesson elementary school substance use prevention program developed basis message interpretation processing model designed increase childrens critical thinking skills media messages reduce intent use tobacco alcohol products purpose study conduct shortterm randomized controlled trial evaluate effectiveness media detective achieving goalselementary schools randomly assigned conditions either receive media detective program n344 serve waiting list control group n335boys media detective group reported significantly less interest alcoholbranded merchandise boys control group also students media detective group used alcohol tobacco past reported significantly less intention use selfefficacy refuse substances students control group previously used alcohol tobaccothis evaluation provides evidence media detective effective substance use prevention elementary schoolaged children notably mediarelated cognitions alcohol tobacco products malleable relevant development maintenance substance use behaviors late childhood findings study suggest media literacybased interventions may serve universal targeted prevention program potential assisting elementary school children making healthier informed decisions use alcohol tobacco products