This pilot study will adapt and test a U.S. evidence-based intervention for promoting healthy decision-making and behaviors with Danish students in upper secondary school.

Aims

The study aims to:

1. adapt a group-based motivational interviewing (MI) intervention, developed by Prof. Sarah Feldstein Ewing in the U.S., to Danish adolescents
2. test the effects of the adapted intervention on healthy decision-making and behaviors among Danish adolescents in upper secondary school
3. examine the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention

Background

In the United States and other countries, school-based brief interventions have showed promising effects in promoting healthy behaviors among adolescents. Particularly Motivational Interviewing (MI) has proven to be effective in helping students reflect on, and increase healthy choices in their daily living.

The Study

The project consists of two phases:

1. A qualitative study focused on adapting an evidence-based MI intervention developed for adolescents in the US to Danish adolescents via focus groups with Danish adolescents in upper secondary school
2. A quantitative study to test the effects of the adapted intervention on health promoting behaviors among students in upper secondary school, and examine the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention in Danish upper secondary schools.

The study is taking place from July 2019 to July 2021

Funding

The study is funded by TrygFonden

Collaborations

Anette Søgaard Nielsen, Associate Professor, Syddansk Universitet

Jacob Fyhn Andrup Aastrup, SSP Horsens

Mads Uffe Pedersen, Professor, Center for Alcohol and Drug Research

Birgitte Thylstrup, Associate Professor, Center for Alcohol and Drug Research

Morten Hesse, Associate Professor, Center for Alcohol and Drug Research