School-based substance use interventions with an explicit theoretical foundation are associated with more robust outcomes than atheorised models, which more often showed fluctuating outcomes¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · review r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2026 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? In this scoping review, models grounded in explicit theory (e.g., Social Cognitive Theory, Social Development Model) consistently improved targeted cognitive and behavioural outcomes, while thirteen of sixteen atheorised models showed fluctuating outcomes. → Bajpai Tewari 2026

Evidence¶

Bajpai Tewari 2026¶

Bajpai Tewari, D., Gautam, U., Jaiswal, V., Pooja, Mishra, A., & Das, P. (2026). Integrated Education Models for Addressing Substance Use Among Schoolchildren: A Scoping Review of School-Based Educational Interventions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23081073

q2 · i? · review · r2

Narrative synthesis (Section 3.2.1) of the scoping review's 43 included studies, comparing theorised and atheorised models. The review reports that "an explicit theoretical foundation in intervention was found to be associated with more robust outcomes," citing Social Cognitive Theory-grounded models as improving refusal self-efficacy and reduced substance use risk. No effect size is printed.

"An explicit theoretical foundation in intervention was found to be associated with more robust outcomes."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Adolescent substance use is associated with low academic outcomes, delinquency, and risky sexual behaviors, per cited prior work — related
• No school-based intervention model for students already using substances was found: all examined models were preventive or protective in approach — related
• School-only substance use interventions such as HeadOn and SUPEP improved knowledge and attitudes without corresponding behavioural change — related
• Health topics of school health-education interventions shifted over four decades and varied by region — related