Tools for Drug and Alcohol Education: Using Decision Worksheets in Personal Problem Solving

Abstract

Previous research has indicated that poor decisions with regard to drugs (including alcohol) and other issues involving personal risks often stem from poor decision-making strategies. This study examines the use of decision worksheets in training individuals to employ better decision-making strategies. Forty-two students enrolled at Texas Christian University participated in a two-session, four-hour study. An experimental group and a control group were asked to read decision-making scenarios related to alcohol usage. Participants were then requested to rate a given list of possible alternatives, and to write a persuasive essay defending their ratings. The experimental group was given the same written scenario with a decision worksheet related to the scenario as a supplement. The essays were scored on several dimensions by two raters. Multivariate analyses indicated that the experimental group had higher mean scores than the control group on measures of “overall goodness,” intensity, and inclusion of elements of feasibility, costs, and benefits. In addition to decision worksheets appearing to be a promising approach to training decision-making skills related to alcohol, persuasive essays appear to have promise in evaluating and extending the usage of decision worksheets.