Refusal and Resistance Skills for Children and Adolescents: A Selected Review

The authors review the literature on refusal and resistance skill (RRS) training implemented with children and adolescents. RRS training is critically evaluated across different target behaviors and outcomes. RRS efficacy is considered for tobacco use, including smoking and smokeless tobacco, alcohol and substance abuse, and sexual activity. Factors that influence RRS training are identified and process variables are discussed. These include age and gender, media formats (video or live), and teacher‐led versus peer‐led approaches. Conclusions are drawn based on the reviewed literature.