Our choice – Health Promotion in High School

In the project "our choice" we examine how use of alcohol and other substances (nicotine and illegal drugs), well-being, and social communities are linked among Danish high school students.

Aim

The aim is to examine links between high school students' social communities, well-being and substance use, including alcohol, nicotine products and illegal substances (e.g, cannabis, cocaine and opioids). In addition, we explore how we can promote students’ well-being, social communities and health, e.g. by involving the students, their parents, and the high schools.

Background

Many studies have shown that adolescents in Denmark drink more heavily than their peers in other European and Nordic countries and that they experience many “here-and-now” negative consequences when they drink (e.g., serious injuries, blackouts, or doing something they regret afterwards), which likely affects their well-being. Additionally, alcohol is often closely intertwined with their social communities, and hence many experience direct or indirect pressure to drink in order to be part of the peer group or community. Research shows that adolescents in Denmark who drink heavily are more likely to use nicotine products and illegal drugs. Several studies indicate that there is an increase in use of alcohol, nicotine products and illegal drugs, when adolescents transition from middle school to high school. The first year of high school is therefore an opportune time to examine how the use of alcohol and other substances (nicotine and illegal drugs), well-being, and social communities are connected, as well as how we can promote well-being and health (e.g., reduce the negative consequences of alcohol).

The Study

In the project, we follow approximately 3,000 students through their first year of high school. A total of 16 high schools from Jutland and Funen are participating. The students fill out five questionnaires over 12 months, where they answer questions about substance use, well-being, and social communities. Based on this, we examine how well-being, substance use, and social communities are linked (or not) and how these relationships change over time.

Additionally, we examine how the social and physical environments in high schools influence adolescents’ well-being and health, especially regarding alcohol. We do this by examining e.g., the settings for parties and the students’ opportunities to take part in social activities that are not centered around alcohol. Although adolescents are increasingly oriented towards their friends during high school, research shows that parents can also have a significant influence on adolescents’ well-being and decisions regarding alcohol and other substances. At some of the high schools, we therefore test a meeting with the parents, where they receive evidence-based information on what they can do as parents and have the opportunity to discuss this with other parents. Finally, at some of the high schools, we offer students group discussions, where they have the opportunity to explore topics related to social communities, well-being, and alcohol use together with others from their class.

The project runs from February 2023 to January 2027.

Funding

The project is funded by a grant from TrygFonden

Collaborations

The project is conducted in close collaboration with 16 high schools located in Jutland and Funen. The research group from Aarhus University work together with Professor Anette Søgaard Nielsen and Janne Tolstrup from University of Southern Denmark, as well as statistician and associate professor Kaare Bro Wellnitz from Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital.

Additionally, our research group meets twice a year with an external advisory panel consisting of experts in health and prevention from practice: