Professors To Investigate Use Of Leisure Time To Prevent Substance Abuse

August 31, 2000
University Park, Pa. -- Several Penn State professors will conduct research on healthy ways adolescents can use leisure time to prevent substance abuse, thanks to a three-year $420,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health.

The primary investigator on the project is Dr. Linda L. Caldwell, associate professor of recreation and park management in the School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Recreation Management in Penn State's College of Health and Human Development.   The project starts September 30, 2000.

The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA)-part of the National Institutes of Health-is funding the project.  The purpose of the research project is to conduct and evaluate a substance abuse prevention program based on learning appropriate and healthy ways to use leisure time through a leisure education program.   The leisure education program will be given at three different middle schools in rural Pennsylvania. 

The premise of the leisure education program is that youth need to learn what their leisure interests are, since this doesn't necessarily come naturally, says Caldwell.  The other premise is that youth have to take personal responsibility for initiating positive leisure activities. 

This research is an extension of a research project already underway at Penn State that uses life skills training programs in middle schools to prevent substance abuse.

The other co-investigators at Penn State on the grant include: Dr. Edward Smith, Director of Research and Evaluation in the Prevention Research Center for the Promotion of Human Development; Dr. John Swisher, professor of education; and Dr. Judith Vicary, professor of biobehavioral health.

For more information, contact Dr. Caldwell at or 814-863-8983.