Meta-analysis of family-based selective prevention programs for drug consumption in adolescence.

BACKGROUND Substance consumption (SC) begins in adolescence and has been linked to protection factors such as family relationships (FR) and positive parenting (PP). There are few studies concerning the effectiveness of prevention programs based on the family, even though assessing interventions is one of the objectives of preventive science. The aim of this study was to analyze the evidence on family-based selective prevention programs in relation to drug consumption in adolescents. METHODOLOGY A meta-analysis of 9 studies with 102 measures grouped in three dimensions, FR, PP and SC, ranging between 2001 and 2015, was conducted. RESULTS Effect sizes (ES) were found to be 0.82 for FR, 0.71 for PP, 0.77 for the combination of both and 0.21 for SC. The Q and I2 indexes expressed high heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS Despite obtaining high ES consistent with previous studies, the great heterogeneity found did not allow us to draw clear conclusions regarding the primary studies. It is recommended that methodological improvements in assessment and reporting processes be carried out for future comparisons.