TY - JOUR
KW - Adolescent
KW - Adult
KW - Fear
KW - Focus Groups
KW - Humans
KW - Idaho
KW - Methamphetamine
KW - Parents
KW - Crystal meth
KW - prevention
KW - Qualitative Research
AU - M. R. Skeer
AU - D. M. Landy
AU - J. M. Abrahams
AU - J. Towers
A1 - 
AB - Crystal methamphetamine ("meth") use is on the rise in the USA, having devastating effects on individuals and communities. Innovative prevention strategies are therefore critical. Through an exploratory qualitative study, we examined the perspectives and experiences of teenagers and parents around meth prevention messaging formats and strategies. Teens and adults were recruited through middle and high schools, libraries, local sporting events, and word of mouth in three communities in North Idaho, May-September 2016. Guided by the theoretical framework of the Extended Parallel Process Model, we conducted focus groups and small group interviews (three teen; two adults). Using a deductive content analytic approach, we developed teen- and adult-specific codebooks, analyzed the transcripts with NVivo 12-Plus, and identified themes. Teens and adults were all acutely aware of meth use in their communities, personally knowing people who were addicted to meth, and all understood the oral ("meth mouth") and physical ("crank bugs") consequences of meth use. Three primary themes were identified, which focused on the effects of, addiction to, and messaging around crystal meth use. For teens and adults, images illustrating the effects of meth were least effective if they appeared unrealistic or comical. Teens resonated most with messages focusing on pain and vanity (bad teeth and breath), and there was consensus that showing teens images simulating changes in their appearance over time as a result of meth use in a clinical setting would be an effective prevention strategy. Teens and adults who had exposure to meth addiction in North Idaho felt that prevention messages focused on meth are imperative, given its high prevalence and deleterious effects. Future work will entail developing and testing a communication-based meth prevention strategy along with tailored messaging that can be used with teens in dental settings.
AD - Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA. margie.skeer@tufts.edu.; Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.; Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.; Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.; Gonzaga University School of Nursing and Human Physiology, Spokane, WA, USA.; Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
BT - Prevention science : the official journal of the Society for Prevention Research
C5 - Education & Workforce; Healthcare Disparities; Opioids & Substance Use
CP - 5
CY - United States
DO - 10.1007/s11121-021-01215-w
IS - 5
JF - Prevention science : the official journal of the Society for Prevention Research
LA - eng
M1 - Journal Article
N2 - Crystal methamphetamine ("meth") use is on the rise in the USA, having devastating effects on individuals and communities. Innovative prevention strategies are therefore critical. Through an exploratory qualitative study, we examined the perspectives and experiences of teenagers and parents around meth prevention messaging formats and strategies. Teens and adults were recruited through middle and high schools, libraries, local sporting events, and word of mouth in three communities in North Idaho, May-September 2016. Guided by the theoretical framework of the Extended Parallel Process Model, we conducted focus groups and small group interviews (three teen; two adults). Using a deductive content analytic approach, we developed teen- and adult-specific codebooks, analyzed the transcripts with NVivo 12-Plus, and identified themes. Teens and adults were all acutely aware of meth use in their communities, personally knowing people who were addicted to meth, and all understood the oral ("meth mouth") and physical ("crank bugs") consequences of meth use. Three primary themes were identified, which focused on the effects of, addiction to, and messaging around crystal meth use. For teens and adults, images illustrating the effects of meth were least effective if they appeared unrealistic or comical. Teens resonated most with messages focusing on pain and vanity (bad teeth and breath), and there was consensus that showing teens images simulating changes in their appearance over time as a result of meth use in a clinical setting would be an effective prevention strategy. Teens and adults who had exposure to meth addiction in North Idaho felt that prevention messages focused on meth are imperative, given its high prevalence and deleterious effects. Future work will entail developing and testing a communication-based meth prevention strategy along with tailored messaging that can be used with teens in dental settings.
PP - United States
PY - 2021
SN - 1573-6695; 1389-4986
SP - 579
EP - 589
EP - 
T1 - "Dying is Not a Fear": Teen and Parent Perspectives on Messaging to Prevent Crystal Meth Use Among Teens in Rural North Idaho
T2 - Prevention science : the official journal of the Society for Prevention Research
TI - "Dying is Not a Fear": Teen and Parent Perspectives on Messaging to Prevent Crystal Meth Use Among Teens in Rural North Idaho
U1 - Education & Workforce; Healthcare Disparities; Opioids & Substance Use
U2 - 33591435
U3 - 10.1007/s11121-021-01215-w
VL - 22
VO - 1573-6695; 1389-4986
Y1 - 2021
Y2 - Jul
ER -