Teams-Games-Tournaments Alcohol Prevention

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

Teams-Games-Tournaments (TGT) program is an approach to alcohol prevention that combines peer support with group reward structures. The program was developed through research on games as a teaching device, small groups as classroom work units, and the task-and-reward structures used in the traditional classroom. The TGT technique stresses group rather than individual achievement.

The first part of the curriculum covers the biological, psychological, and sociocultural determinants of alcoholism. During the program's second part, basic principles of social learning theory illustrate the concept that all drinking is learned. With this knowledge, students then learn self-management tools: assertiveness, refusal skills, how to change their internal and external environment. The tournament games consist of short-answer questions designed to assess and reinforce the knowledge gained in class.

Goal / Mission

The goal of this program is to educate students about alcohol and to prevent alcohol abuse.

Impact

Evaluations showed significant gains in alcohol-related knowledge, significantly better attitudes toward drinking and driving, and reductions in alcohol consumption.

Results / Accomplishments

The evaluation of Teams-Games-Tournaments used an experimental design methodology. TGT participants showed significant gains in alcohol-related knowledge at posttest, relative to both the traditional and no-instruction control groups. Additional analyses confirmed that these effects remained significant at follow-up. TGT participants also showed significantly better attitudes toward drinking and driving, as well as reduced impulsive behavior, relative to the two other groups. Measures of alcohol consumption also favored the experimental group. From pretest to posttest the experimental group decreased its consumption by 12.7%, while the traditional control groups showed no reduction at all.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Primary Contact
John Wodarski, Ph.D.
Children's Mental Health Services Research Center
324 Henson Hall
Knoxville, TN 37996
865-974-3988
jwodarsk@utk.edu
http://cmhsrc.utk.edu/practice-research/
Topics
Health / Alcohol & Drug Use
Health / Adolescent Health
Organization(s)
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Source
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's Model Programs Guide (MPG)
Date of publication
2004
Location
Georgia
For more details
https://www.crimesolutions.gov/ProgramDetails.aspx...
Target Audience
Teens

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Related Content for: Teams-Games-Tournaments Alcohol Prevention

An Evidence-Based Practice meets the following HCI criteria:

  1. The program description includes at a minimum: the sponsoring organization, program goals, program implementation steps, and outcomes that have demonstrated program success in achieving the program goal in one or more localities.
  2. The results from an evaluation of the program include quantitative measures showing improvement in the outcome(s) of interest after the implementation of the program (i.e. increase in smoking cessation, not just the delivery of a smoking cessation program). The outcome measure(s) is/are compared at relevant time periods before and after the intervention or program implementation. Alternatively, the evaluation study compares the outcome(s) between an intervention group and an appropriate control group.
  3. The study is of peer-review quality and presents numbers in a scientific manner; measurements of precision and reliability are included (e.g. confidence intervals, standard errors), results from statistical tests show a significant difference or change in the outcome measure(s), and relevant point estimates and p-values are presented. Note: if the results from an evaluation of a program are presented in a scientific manner and the outcome measure is improved compared to the baseline measurement or the control group but the difference is not statistically significant, the practice is classified as effective and not evidence-based.