Televised entertainment-education to prevent adolescent alcohol use: perceived realism, enjoyment, and impact

Health Educ Behav. 2013 Apr;40(2):193-205. doi: 10.1177/1090198112445906. Epub 2012 Jul 6.

Abstract

Alcohol use among adolescents is a concern in the Netherlands because of its high prevalence and risks. To discourage adolescents from drinking alcohol, a televised entertainment-education (E-E) intervention was developed. This study investigated responses of adolescents on perceived realism and enjoyment of the E-E intervention, as well as its impact on alcohol drinking behavior. Viewers perceived the E-E narratives to be credible and enjoyable but did not relate to the characters in the narratives. However, exposure to the E-E intervention predicted desired changes in alcohol drinking behavior, intentions to decrease alcohol use, and perceived normative pressure, especially in less educated viewers. These findings demonstrate that E-E is a promising strategy to target adolescent alcohol use. Future research will focus on the individual processes and story elements that account for the positive results.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Alcohol Drinking / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Health Education / methods*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Netherlands
  • Persuasive Communication
  • Television*