Social and Community Prevention Research

Section Head

Dr. Kathryn Graham

Contact

Sue Steinbeck
Administrative Secretary
ssteinb@uwo.ca

Research Objective

Scientists are studying factors that influence the occurrence of mental health and addictions-related problems in order to identify the most successful methods for prevention and intervention.

Summary of Activities

Preventing mental health and addictions problems can result in a wide range of benefits. In addition to avoiding the personal and societal costs associated with serious mental health and addictions problems, there are health and social benefits from prevention of injury, violence, and other harms related to substance use or mental illness. This research focuses on people in nonclinical settings often including those at higher risk for experiencing problems such as youth and early-stage problem drinkers. Much of the research focuses on environmental influences. For example, one longitudinal study is examining the relationship between student activities and alcohol use, depression, and violence among first-year university students. Another study included the development and evaluation of a training program for bar staff to reduce violence in bars and clubs.

Research covers all aspects of prevention, including:

• Identifying personal and environmental contributing and protective factors in the occurrence of mental health and addictions problems;
• Applying theory and knowledge from this research to develop interventions; and
• Evaluating the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs as well as the impact of public policy and legislation.

Because of the broad research required for prevention research, scientists in this section have depth and breadth of methodological expertise in evaluation research methods, psychometric measurement, survey methods, longitudinal designs, and statistical modeling, as well as expertise in historical and qualitative research methods.

A number of studies are focused on the prevention of alcohol and drug problems among vulnerable populations such as adolescents and young adults. For example, an innovative study is evaluating the long-term impact of Big Brothers and Big Sisters mentoring programs on the health and well-being of disadvantaged children across Canada.

Several researchers are examining the link between alcohol use and violence, both intimate partner violence as well as other forms of violence. This research includes identifying attitudes and behaviors among those more likely to become violent, environmental factors that determine where and when violence occurs, and gender differences in the relationship between alcohol use, violence, and mental health.

Problem gambling is another area of interest and investigations include online gambling, slot machines, lotteries, and other games of chance, as well as the treatment of gambling problems among incarcerated offenders.

Research is also being done to test the effects of outreach programs to reduce alcohol use and problems among those who have early-stage alcohol problems but are not receiving treatment.

Other research examines the effectiveness of policies for preventing use of drugs such as meta-amphetamines among youth and the relationship between policies and prevention strategies.

 

 

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