Correlates of Adherence to a Telephone-Based Multiple Health Behavior Change Cancer Preventive Intervention for Teens

Abstract

This study examined factors associated with teens’ adherence to a multiple health behavior cancer preventive intervention. Analyses identified predictors of trial enrollment, run-in completion, and adherence (intervention initiation, number of sessions completed). Of 104 teens screened, 73% ( n = 76) were trial eligible. White teens were more likely to enroll than non-Whites (χ2[1] df = 4.49, p = .04). Among enrolled teens, 76% ( n = 50) completed the run-in; there were no differences between run-in completers and noncompleters. A majority of run-in completers (70%, n = 35) initiated the intervention, though teens who initiated the intervention were significantly younger than those who did not ( p < .05). The mean number of sessions completed was 5.7 ( SD = 2.6; maximum = 8). After adjusting for age, teens with poorer session engagement (e.g., less cooperative) completed fewer sessions (B = −1.97, p = .003, R2 = .24). Implications for adolescent cancer prevention research are discussed.