Gender and Attitude Change in Drug Abuse. Effects of the Family Competence Program with Adolescents (12-14 years)

Attitudes towards drug abuse are relevant to understand real abuse. Furthermore, explanations by gender should be also incorporated. In the current study, it is analyzed the attitudinal change in the long-term after participating in an evidence-based family prevention program, the Family Competence Program (FCP). With a population sample of 78 adolescents that have participated in the program, and a control group, it is measured the evolution of the attitudes towards consumption using the Drugs Attitudes Questionnaire, validated questionnaire and used as a reference by the Spanish National Plan Against Drugs. Three measurement processes are undertaken, differentiated by gender: at the beginning of the FCP application, at the end of the application (Post 1) and a 24-month follow-up (Post 2). Main results indicate that significant differences are achieved in availability for consumption and in wrong beliefs, at the end of the program, but not in the long term, both in girls and boys. Regarding protective beliefs, these are consistent along time in both genders.