Empowerment in Coalitions Targeting Underage Drinking: Differential Effects of Organizational Characteristics for Volunteers and Staff

Abstract

Social work has adopted the Grand Challenge to reduce and prevent alcohol misuse and related consequences. This study extends previous research through a macro examination of distinct roles within coalitions implementing prevention strategies targeting underage alcohol use. The purpose was to determine whether hypothesized relationships among organizational characteristics, empowerment variables, and perceived effectiveness differed for 2 subgroups (i.e., volunteers and paid staff). The sample was comprised of 357 survey participants affiliated with a statewide substance abuse initiative. Structural equation modeling was used to examine hypothesized relationships between study variables and found differences among subgroups. Results can inform organizational processes within coalitions that focus on engaging different groups to have a stronger impact on community issues, such as substance use consequences.

KEYWORDS:

• alcohol misuse
• coalitions
• empowerment
• leadership
• perceived effectiveness
• prevention science
• sense of community

FUNDING

This research was supported in part by a grant from the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services to Rutgers University. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the funding agency.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported in part by a grant from the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services to Rutgers University. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the funding agency.