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ERIC Number: EJ1229265
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Mar
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1866-2625
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Incorporating Well-Adjusted Peers in a Conduct Problems Prevention Program: Evaluation of Acceptability, Fidelity, and Safety of Implementation
Hektner, Joel M.; Brennan, Alison L.; August, Gerald J.
School Mental Health, v9 n1 p66-77 Mar 2017
In order to prevent iatrogenic effects associated with interventions that aggregate youth with behavior problems and to promote the integration of these youth into normative peer groups, a comprehensive evidence-based prevention program, Early Risers "Skills for Success" (August et al. in Preventing substance abuse: science-based programs for children and adolescents, American Psychological Association, Washington, 2007), was augmented to include well-adjusted children in a strategic peer affiliation component, or buddy system. A total of 190 kindergartners and first graders from five schools in a Midwestern US city were randomly assigned by school to receive the program or serve as controls. In the first summer program component, the children received 72 h of programming in academics, social skills, and creative arts, all within a highly structured social environment. The feasibility of the program was investigated through examination of acceptability, fidelity, and safety of programming, with special attention to acceptability and safety for well-adjusted peer mentors. Results showed that intervention fidelity, as measured by independent observers, was high. Acceptability was high as well, with no differences in attendance between well-adjusted children and children with behavioral problems. There was no evidence of iatrogenic effects or other unsafe outcomes: Peer-reported victimization did not increase, and well-adjusted children did not increase in aggression. In contrast, both well-adjusted children and their peers with behavior problems increased in teacher-rated social skills, and well-adjusted children increased in leadership. The results suggest that the pairing of well-adjusted children with behavior-problem children in a highly structured program such as Early Risers is a feasible program tactic in which the well-adjusted children may also derive some benefit.
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Kindergarten; Primary Education; Grade 1
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Institute of Mental Health (DHHS/NIH)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: MH07781602
Author Affiliations: N/A