Strategies and Tools to Embrace Prevention with Upstream Programs: A Novel Pilot Program for Enhancing Social and Emotional Protective Factors in Middle School Students

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 213-220
Author(s):  
M Amaris Knight ◽  
Amanda Haboush-Deloye ◽  
Pamela M Goldberg ◽  
Kelly Grob
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Middle School Students ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Problem Behaviors ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
School Students ◽  
Negative Behaviors ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Abstract Social–emotional learning (SEL) programs can be considered upstream, or primary prevention, because they focus on providing students with the life skills necessary to navigate situations and relationships from which problem behaviors may arise to prevent a crisis situation. Strategies & Tools to Embrace Prevention with Upstream Programs (SEL@MS, formerly known as STEP UP) is a comprehensive SEL curriculum for middle school students aimed at promoting universal prevention strategies for healthy populations. SEL@MS enhances protective factors against negative behaviors by reinforcing multilevel approaches to strengthening community, interpersonal, and individual attributes with lesson plans that can be integrated into school curricula. This quasi-experimental pilot study was conducted over the course of two years with 59 middle school students assigned to either the intervention (n = 27) or control (n = 32) group. Analyses demonstrated significant improvements among students in the intervention group in self-regulation, responsibility, social competence, and empathy. Results of this study suggest that SEL@MS is a promising approach to enhance social and emotional protective factors that, when fostered over time, have the potential to improve overall mental health.

scholarly journals Positive Attitude Program’s Impact upon Self-Concept across Childhood and Adolescence // Emociones positivas, apoyo a la autonomía y rendimiento de estudiantes universitarios: El papel mediador del compromiso académico y la autoeficacia

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vítor Alexandre Coelho ◽  
Marta Marchante ◽  
Vanda Sousa
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Middle School Students ◽  
Elementary Students ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
School Students ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Repeated Measures Design

This study aims to analyze the differential impact of social and emotional learning programs between Portuguese elementary and middle school students, and to clarify developmental and gender differences in children and adolescents self-concept. The sample included 2682 students, 1237 elementary students (4th grade; Mage = 9.24; SD = 0.72) and 1445 middle school students (7th to 9th grade: Mage = 13.30; SD = 1.32). Self-report questionnaires were administered before and after intervention. Multilevel linear modeling with a repeated measures design was used to evaluate the effects of the program on self- concept. Results show significant intervention gains in social and emotional self-concept, which differ by grade level (elementary students benefited more). There were also differences between genders, boys showed more benefits in social self-concept and girls in emotional self-concept as well as a smaller decrease in academic self-concept. Participation in the programs led to more pronounced gains for elementary school students. 

Effectiveness of Cyber Bullying Sensitization Program (CBSP) to Reduce Cyber Bullying Behavior Among Middle School Children

2021 ◽  
pp. 504-513
Author(s):  
Surabhi Negi ◽  
Sunita Magre
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Middle School Students ◽  
Cyber Bullying ◽  
Control Group ◽  
School Students ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Experimental Group

Cyber bullying is the unwise use of technology to harm and humiliate an individual or group over the Internet. The purpose of this article is to test the effectiveness of the cyber bullying sensitisation program (CBSP) to reduce the level of cyber bullying behaviour among middle school students. The sample was restricted to adolescents as they are the ones who are most exposed and vulnerable in the cyber space. A quasi-experimental pre-post design with intervention was adopted for the study. The participants of the study were comprised of 186 middle school students from two private schools in India. The experimental group had 94 participants while control groups had 92 participants. Statistical analysis indicated that there was a significant difference between pre- and post-test scores in the experimental group. No significant difference was found between the experiment and control group before the program, suggesting that the program was effective in helping students in reducing cyber bullying behaviour. The implications for prevention and intervention programs were discussed.

scholarly journals Adolescent Tobacco and Betel Nut Use in the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands: Evidence From Guam

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 1058-1062 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pallav Pokhrel ◽  
Francis Dalisay ◽  
Ian Pagano ◽  
Wayne Buente ◽  
Elizabeth Guerrero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Middle School Students ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Tobacco Product ◽  
Pacific Islanders ◽  
Betel Nut ◽  
School Students ◽  
Product Use ◽  
The Us

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of, and the risk and protective factors associated with, tobacco product use among adolescents in Guam, a US-Affiliated Pacific Island (USAPI) territory. To examine disparities in risk and protective factors across indigenous and nonindigenous groups. Design: Quantitative; cross-sectional. Setting: Middle and high schools in Guam. Sample: The Global Youth Tobacco Survey sample included a representative sample of 2449 6th to 12th graders (71% response rate). Sample for the supplemental study included 670 middle school students (76% response rate across randomly selected classrooms). Measures: Self-reported measures of lifetime and past 30-day tobacco and betel nut use, social competence, resistance self-efficacy, risk perceptions, friend and family tobacco product use, and ease of access to tobacco products. Analysis: Multilevel logistic regression and analysis of covariance. Results: The prevalence rates of current cigarette, smokeless tobacco, and e-cigarette use among middle school students were 8%, 8%, and 25%, respectively. Ability to resist social pressure to use tobacco/betel nut use was strongly associated with lower likelihood of tobacco (odds ratio [OR] = 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.68-0.84) and betel nut use (OR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.67-0.82). Indigenous Pacific Islanders scored significantly lower on protective and higher on risk factors. Conclusion: Tobacco product use rates among Guam middle school students appear to be 4 to 5 times higher than the US national average rates. There is an urgent need for developing tobacco and betel nut use prevention programs for USAPI youth that are tailored to the needs of indigenous Pacific Islanders.

Effects of a Teacher Professional Development Program on the Mathematics Achievement of Middle School Students

2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura B. Sample McMeeking ◽  
Rebecca Orsi ◽  
R. Brian Cobb
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Middle School ◽  
Middle School Students ◽  
Mathematics Instruction ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Middle Level ◽  
Teacher Participation ◽  
School Students ◽  
Mathematics Test ◽  
Quasi Experimental

The effect of a 15- to 24-month in-service professional development (PD) program on state accountability mathematics test scores for middle school students was examined using a quasi-experimental design. Middle level mathematics teachers (n = 128) from 7 school districts and 64 middle schools volunteered for a PD sequence of content-oriented summer courses and pedagogy-oriented structured follow-up experiences during the subsequent academic year. Student effects of the PD program were measured using Colorado's state mathematics test results for 2 cohorts of students: 1 that received mathematics instruction from participant teachers in the year prior to the PD and another cohort that received mathematics instruction in the year following the PD. The odds of a student achieving a Proficient or Advanced score on the state test were then compared between cohorts. Results showed that students' odds of achieving a score of Proficient or better increased with teacher participation in the PD program.

scholarly journals Predictors of Middle School Students’ Interest in Participating in an Incentive-Based Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program in Connecticut

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan E. Morean ◽  
Deepa R. Camenga ◽  
Grace Kong ◽  
Dana A. Cavallo ◽  
Ty S. Schepis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Middle School Students ◽  
Middle Schools ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Smoking History ◽  
Tobacco Prevention ◽  
Program Participation ◽  
School Students ◽  
Trait Impulsivity

Behavioral incentives have been used to encourage smoking cessation in older adolescents, but the acceptability of incentives to promote a smoke-free lifestyle in younger adolescents is unknown. To inform the development of novel, effective, school-based interventions for youth, we assessed middle school students’ interest in participating in an incentive-based tobacco abstinence program. We surveyed 988 students (grades 6–8) attending three Connecticut middle schools to determine whether interest in program participation varied as a function of (1) intrapersonal factors (i.e., demographic characteristics (sex, age, race), smoking history, and trait impulsivity) and/or (2) aspects of program design (i.e., prize type, value, and reward frequency). Primary analyses were conducted using multiple regression. A majority of students (61.8%) reported interest in program participation. Interest did not vary by gender, smoking risk status, or offering cash prizes. However, younger students, non-Caucasian students, behaviorally impulsive students, and students with higher levels of self-regulation were more likely to report interest. Inexpensive awards (e.g., video games) offered monthly motivated program interest. In sum, middle school students reported high levels of interest in an incentive-based program to encourage a tobacco-free lifestyle. These formative data can inform the design of effective, incentive-based smoking cessation and prevention programs in middle schools.

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