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Core competencies and the prevention of adolescent substance use
Author(s) -
Haegerich Tamara M.,
Tolan Patrick H.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
new directions for child and adolescent development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.628
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1534-8687
pISSN - 1520-3247
DOI - 10.1002/cd.228
Subject(s) - prosocial behavior , psychology , competence (human resources) , developmental psychology , adolescent development , substance use , context (archaeology) , social psychology , clinical psychology , paleontology , biology
Adolescence is a developmental period during which youth are at increased risk for using substances. An empirical focus on core competencies illustrates that youth are less likely to use substances when they have a positive future orientation, a belief in the ability to resist substances, emotional and behavioral control, sound decision‐making ability, a belief that substance use is wrong, and a strong bond to prosocial peers and family. Such etiological research is beginning to provide a strong foundation for successful competence‐building prevention programs. Focusing on the developmental‐ecological context of adolescent substance use will expedite advances in prevention.