School Prevention Program Improved Emotional Skills and Shifted Cannabis Habits in Polynesian Teens | Research

The takeaway

The Kusa prevention program improved emotional competencies in Polynesian adolescents and shifted cannabis consumption patterns, particularly among non-users and low-users.

Prevention researchers, school counselors, public health officials working with Pacific Island youth populations.

231 Polynesian students studied

What the researchers found

Among 231 Polynesian middle and high school students, the Kusa prevention program improved emotional acceptance, awareness, verbalization, and impulse control in non-users and low-users. After the program, a larger proportion of participants reported generally not consuming cannabis during the day. Frequent users showed increased emotional verbalization but no significant change in consumption.

Why it matters

French Polynesia has one of the highest cannabis use rates among French territories, with early adolescent onset. This study shows that culturally adapted prevention programs targeting emotional skills can meaningfully shift behavior, especially when reaching youth before heavy use patterns develop.

The numbers in context

231 students included. 57.8% girls. Mean age 15.0 years. Programs delivered in middle and high school settings. Three-month follow-up period.

How the study worked

Quantitative longitudinal study with repeated measures (pre- and 3-month post-program) using standardized questionnaires. Classes were randomized into program participation or control groups. Sample of 231 students (57.8% girls, mean age 15.0). Results analyzed by level of cannabis use.

What this study cannot tell us

Three-month follow-up is relatively short. No biological confirmation of cannabis use changes. Program effects were strongest in non-users and low-users, with limited impact on frequent users' consumption patterns.

How to read the evidence

Preliminary: randomized by classroom with standardized measures, but short follow-up and self-reported cannabis use.

When this study was published

2025 study

The bigger picture

Most cannabis prevention programs are designed for Western contexts. This study demonstrates that adapting programs to specific sociocultural contexts, as done with the Kusa program for Polynesian youth, can produce measurable improvements in the emotional skills that protect against problematic use.

Questions still open

Do the emotional competency gains persist beyond three months? Could an adapted version reach frequent users more effectively? Would similar cultural adaptation work in other Pacific Island contexts?

Common questions

Did the program reduce cannabis use in teens who already used frequently?

Frequent users did not show significant changes in consumption, though they did improve in emotional verbalization and awareness of regulation difficulties.

What emotional skills did the program improve?

The program improved emotional acceptance, awareness, verbalization, impulse control, and reduced emotional intensity, particularly among non-users and low-users.

Read the original research

Impact of the Kusa prevention program on cannabis consumption and emotional competencies among French Polynesian adolescents.

Global health promotion, 32(1_suppl), 28-37

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Pitel, Marion; Phan, Olivier; Bonnaire, Céline. (2025). Impact of the Kusa prevention program on cannabis consumption and emotional competencies among French Polynesian adolescents.. Global health promotion, 32(1_suppl), 28-37. https://doi.org/10.1177/17579759251317515