Participation in Universal Prevention Programs

We analyze the decision to participate in community-based universal prevention programs through the framework of prospect theory, with family functionality, and related risk status, providing the reference point. We find that participation probability depends on the relative ratios of the weighting and valuation functions. Using data from the Strengthening Families Program and the Washington Healthy Youth Survey, we empirically test the implications of our model. We find that family functionality affects the participation decision in complex and, in some cases, non-linear ways. We discuss the implication of these findings for cost-effectiveness analysis, and suggest directions for further research.