Many behavior change theories have evolved over time. Originally, the first conceptions prioritized interventions based on information, such as raising awareness and transferring knowledge. Second-generation theories prioritize the development of skills and the promotion of awareness. The emergence of evidence-based techniques in the 1990s gave rise to third-generation theories such as the Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Cognitive Theory. Presently, fourth-generation trends amalgamate various components from multiple theories to implement accurate treatments, employing technology and emphasizing targeted behavior change. This paper aims to do a concise evaluation of the multi-theory model (MTM) of health behavior change interventions in the context of planning substance use prevention and treatment. The current area of intervention programs aimed at preventing and treating substance use may benefit from MTM, an innovative fourth-generation behavior change model. Tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs have all been the subjects of experimental, cross-sectional, and qualitative research. We have presented that additional research is required to compare MTM with knowledge-based therapies or interventions grounded in other theories. A gold standard would be the randomized controlled trials and behavioral change interventions particularly useful for this purpose. In addition, research evaluating the interventions’ efficacy must be carefully planned and executed.

Alcohol is the number one substance used by young people and people of college age. Binge drinking (BD) in this age group is considered one of the most important global health issues, as much harm accrues from it and even lives are lost. This study aimed to review the interventions to curb BD or encourage responsible drinking among college students and young adults. MEDLINE (PubMed), ERIC and APA PsycINFO were searched. The selected articles were published in English and had to evaluate a BD reduction program through a randomized control trial (RCT) among college students or young adults between the ages of 17–24 years. The exclusion criteria included research not published in English, systematic review articles, qualitative studies, designs other than RCTs and discussion articles on college students drinking with no findings. The three reviewers independently screened and extracted the data using the PRISMA guidelines. The overall quality of the studies was assessed. Then, 10 of the 12 interventions studied were found to be successful in reducing BD among college students, though the effect sizes were small to medium. A minority of the studies used behavior change theories. Effective interventions for reducing BD among college students and young adults should include robust behavior change theories, longer follow-up time and the operationalization of multiple outcomes. Process evaluation is needed to be conducted in these studies.

Social media has become more popular in the last few years. It has been used in public health development and healthcare settings to promote healthier lifestyles. Given its important role in today’s culture, it is necessary to understand its current trends and future directions in public health. This review aims to describe and summarize how public health professionals have been using social media to improve population outcomes. This review highlights the substantial influence of social media in advancing public health objectives. The key themes explored encompass the utilization of social media to advance health initiatives, monitor diseases, track behaviors, and interact with communities. Additionally, it discusses potential future directions on how social media can be used to improve population health. The findings show how social media has been used as a tool for research, implementing health campaigns, and health promotion. Social media integration with artificial intelligence (AI) and Generative Pre-Trained Transformers (GPTs) can impact and offer an innovative approach to tackle the problems and difficulties in health informatics. The research shows how social media will keep growing and evolving and, if used effectively, has the potential to help close public health gaps across different cultures and improve population health.

Drowsy driving among college students is a critical public health issue due to its significant impact on road safety. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the determinants of stopping drowsy driving behavior among college students using the multi-theory model (MTM) of health behavior change. Data for this study were collected from September to October 2023 via a 42-item psychometric valid, web-based survey disseminated via Qualtrics, involving 725 students from a large southwestern university. Nearly half of the participants (49.38%) reported drowsy driving in the past month. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that participatory dialogue (p = 0.0008) and behavioral confidence (p < 0.0001) significantly predicted the initiation of refraining from drowsy driving, with the final model explaining 36.4% of the variance. Similarly, emotional transformation (p < 0.0001) and practice for change (p = 0.0202) significantly predicted the sustenance of behavior change, with the final model accounting for 40.6% of the variance. These findings underscore the importance of targeted MTM-based interventions focusing on enhancing students’ awareness and confidence in managing drowsiness to mitigate drowsy driving, ultimately improving road safety and student well-being.

College students are a primary population for risky alcohol use behaviors, with one of every eleven students grappling with severe alcohol-related issues. The objective of this scoping review was to synthesize the existing literature to identify factors influencing the prevalence of drinking and driving (DAD) behaviors among college students. A scoping review was conducted using Medline (PubMed), ERIC, The American Journal on Addictions, and the NCHA databases. Criteria for article selection included being published in English and focused on DAD behaviors among college students. Articles excluded from the review were systematic reviews and discussion pieces without empirical findings related to college DAD. Of the included studies (n = 23), most identified a range of factors as being influential in college students’ DAD behavior including a family history of alcohol misuse, the use of other substances such as marijuana, age of initial alcohol consumption, place of residence, propensity for sensation seeking, affiliation with sorority/fraternity groups, and the perception of associated risks. Effective strategies may include education on the risks of combined alcohol and substance use, screening and brief interventions tailored to at-risk students, and the implementation of campus policies that promote responsible alcohol consumption and deter DAD.

School-based interventions support children’s holistic well-being by promoting mental health, fostering resilience, and enhancing social, academic, and physical development. This systematic review aimed to synthesize current evidence-based research on school mental health promotion interventions. Another objective is to analyze the reported outcomes of interventions to review current policies and available resources. A comprehensive search within MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL (EBSCO), and Google Scholar was conducted using different combinations of keywords “school-based”, “intervention”, “mental health”, “evidence-based”, “theory” and “promotion” by using the Boolean operators “AND” and “OR”. Studies were included from December 1, 2017, to October 31, 2024, study design (randomized control trials), age ≤ 18, all genders, and English language. Studies were excluded based on inception year, age ≥ 18 years, study designs other than mentioned above, and non-English language. Quality assessment was performed with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool for randomized controlled trials. A total of 24 studies were included, identifying a total of 32 evidence-based mental health interventions. These school-based mental health promotion interventions utilized combined frameworks (n=7), cognitive behavioral therapy (n=5), mindfulness theory (n=3), mental health literacy (n=3), diathesis-stress model (n=3), WHO-approved FRIENDS program (n=2), social cognitive theory(n=1). A combination of programs and frameworks were utilized in 5 out of 24 studies. School-based interventions effectively reduce depression, anxiety, and psychosocial challenges in youth, promoting well-being. More rigorous research is needed to enhance evidence-based interventions, consider contextual influences, and evaluate broader societal benefits of empowering children in mental health prevention.