Current Research

A Selective Prevention Program for High School Seniors
The primary purpose of this on-going National Institute on Drug Abuse funded research is to test the feasibility and efficacy of innovative drug abuse prevention strategies using positive career and personal development messages for young people who are transitioning from high school into careers and college. The long-term objective of this project is to reduce marijuana, cigarette, and alcohol abuse and problems, while improving personal development and health promotion habits, among high-risk adolescents moving from adolescence into adulthood. Preliminary results from this study indicate that brief image-based positive youth development interventions are feasible and have the potential to significantly impact multiple problem and positive behaviors among high risk adolescents transitioning into adults. This is the first time a brief career planning intervention has targeted health risk and promoting behaviors for older adolescents preparing to graduate high school.

Brief Positive Image Communications for Adolescents
The primary purpose of this on-going National Institute on Drug Abuse funded research is to test the validity, feasibility and efficacy of brief, innovative screening and preventive interventions using fitness and positive image communications for high-risk older adolescents in a university primary health care setting. The long-term objective of this project is to reduce marijuana, cigarette, and alcohol abuse and problems among college-aged adolescents, while improving physical activity, nutrition, and stress management behaviors. Preliminary results from this study indicate that brief interventions based on the Behavior-Image Model are acceptable to college students, can be feasibly implemented in a university setting, and have the potential to significantly impact multiple health promoting and risk habits of college-age youth. This is the first time a brief intervention has addressed the co-morbidity of lack of physical activity and substance misuse among college students.

Brief Integrative Alcohol Interventions for Adolescents
The primary aim of this planned project is to test the efficacy of innovative, brief alcohol abuse prevention strategies in the form of an interpersonal consultation, parent communication materials, and a combined strategy, which integrate positive youth development messages and health risk messages for substance using adolescents in diverse high school settings. The long-term objective of this project is to reduce alcohol abuse and problems, and enhance health promoting habits, among older high-risk adolescents.

A Brief Preventive Intervention Using Interactive CD-ROM
The primary aims of this planned project are to further develop and pilot test an interactive CD-ROM version of innovative, brief alcohol abuse prevention strategies which integrate positive youth development messages and health risk messages for adolescents. The long-term objective of this project is to reduce alcohol abuse and problems, and promote health enhancing habits, among high school aged adolescents who are at significantly higher risk for substance abuse than younger adolescents, but are often ignored in prevention research and services.

Research Projects Conducted with Mayo Clinic
In addition to research projects lead by the Addictive & Health Behaviors Research Institute, a number of other studies are directed by Mayo Clinic in collaboration with the AHB Research Institute. These Mayo studies include:

  • A Stress Management Intervention for Young Adult Cigarette Smokers

  • Quality of Life Intervention for Biochemical Recurrence of Prostate Cancer

  • Smoking Cessation for Young Adults who Binge Drink

  • A Survey to Investigate Tobacco Use Patterns among Ethnically Diverse Young Adults

Conclusion
In conclusion, the University of Florida's AHB Research Institute is the premiere addictive and health behavior research center singly dedicated to the development of cost-effective, efficacious, and easily adaptable strategies for preventing harm and promoting health among youth in our community, state, and nation. Located in the major metropolitan area of Jacksonville, Florida, the Institute is uniquely situated to effectively access a broad range of urban, suburban, and rural populations located within easily accessible settings, including schools, universities, health clinics, hospitals, health departments, businesses, and other institutions and agencies serving youth. Given the significant successes of the Addictive & Health Behaviors Research Institute created in 2004, the future seems bright for this young Research Institute dedicated to improving the health, well-being, and positive development of children, adolescents, and young adults most vulnerable to harm caused by addictive and other health-damaging behaviors.