TY - JOUR PY - 2017// TI - Incorporating well-adjusted peers in a conduct problems prevention program: evaluation of acceptability, fidelity, and safety of implementation JO - School mental health A1 - Hektner, Joel M. A1 - Brennan, Alison L. A1 - August, Gerald J. SP - 66 EP - 77 VL - 9 IS - 1 N2 - 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.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 1866-2625 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12310-016-9199-7 ID - ref1 ER -