Document Type
Report
College
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Department
Occupational Therapy
Degree
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Report Date
2022
Faculty Mentor
Latour, Debra
Doctoral Experiential Coordinator
Gross, Kimberly
Abstract
"Participating in risk behaviors such as consuming alcohol or drugs is a common practice among adolescents who are exploring their autonomy, social lives, and identities. However, some risk behaviors pose potential harms to the individual related to occupational performance and participation. For this reason, adolescent engagement in risk behavior is a common target of intervention. However, current intervention programs emphasize and promote abstinence which has proven to be an ineffective method. During the 14 week doctoral experiential (DEx) capstone project, the DEx student utilized evidence-based practice to determine how to best address student’s participation in risk behaviors at LightHouse school in Holyoke, MA. A review of the literature was completed and revealed that harm reduction was an effective approach to school-based intervention. With this knowledge, the DEx student utilized a mixed method research study to obtain LightHouse staff’s perspectives of LightHouse students’ engagement in risk behaviors, current intervention strategies, and the harm reduction approach. Results revealed both a need and suitability for the harm reduction approach to be introduced at LightHouse."
Recommended Citation
Novak, Kaeli, "Final Doctoral Experiential Capstone Project Report 2022" (2022). OTD DEx Reports - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. 58.
https://digitalcommons.law.wne.edu/otd/58
