scholarly journals Testing an evidence-based drug abuse and violence preventive approach adapted for youth in juvenile justice diversionary settings

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Williams ◽  
Kenneth W. Griffin ◽  
Ruchi K. Mehta ◽  
Gilbert J. Botvin
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Preventive Intervention ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Substance Use Prevention ◽  
Personal Strengths ◽  
Post Test

Abstract Background Universal school-based prevention programs for alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use are typically designed for all students within a particular school setting. However, it is unclear whether such broad-based programs are effective for youth at risk for substance use and violence in juvenile justice settings. Method The present study tested the feasibility, appropriateness, and efficacy of a preventive intervention to reduce risk factors for substance use and delinquency among youth in juvenile justice diversionary settings by promoting positive youth development and building personal strengths and prosocial relationships. Participants in the study (N = 288) were predominantly male (69%) and in the 9th grade (14 years old) or higher (91%), received the preventive intervention, and completed confidential questionnaires at the pre-test and post-test. Results The majority of youth who participated in the intervention rated the program topics (77.9%) and activities (72%) as appropriate for their age, would recommend it to their peers (73.6%), and would use the skills learned in the future (85.4%). Comparison of post-test adjusted means revealed that the prevention program had a significant positive impact on key knowledge, attitudes, and skills including goal-setting, stress-management, and communication skills. Conclusions The findings indicate that an evidence-based prevention approach adapted for youth diversionary settings can be effectively implemented and well-received by participating youth, and can produce positive changes in psychosocial skills and protective factors known to prevent multiple risk behaviors among youth. Future efforts to implement substance use prevention in community juvenile justice settings may benefit from highlighting a positive youth development, skills-based approach.

scholarly journals Supplementing Substance Use Prevention With Sexual Health Education: A Partner-Informed Approach to Intervention Development

2020 ◽  
pp. 152483992094768
Author(s):  
Terrinieka W. Powell ◽  
Meghan Jo ◽  
Anne D. Smith ◽  
Beth D. Marshall ◽  
Santha Thigpen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Intervention Development ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Substance Use Prevention ◽  
Sexual Health Education ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Wide Range

Supplementing substance use prevention with sexual health education would allow educators to address the risk and protective factors that influence both health issues. This streamlined approach may minimize the inefficiencies of multisession, single-purpose interventions. Our team developed a supplemental sexual and reproductive health (SRH) unit to align with an existing evidence-based intervention, LifeSkills Training (LST). This goal of this article is to describe our process, final product, lessons learned, and future directions. Our partner-informed approach took place across three key phases: (1) formative insights, (2) unit development, and (3) pilot implementation. The final supplemental SRH unit is ten, 45-minute sessions offered to seventh- and eighth-grade students and includes a set of learning objectives that are aligned with individual sessions. The supplemental SRH unit also mirrors existing LST modules in length, flow, layout, facilitator instructions, focus on prevention, and utilization of a student workbook. Lessons learned include strategies to effectively incorporate a wide range of ongoing feedback from multiple sources and quickly respond to staff turnover. This partnership approach serves as a model for researchers and practitioners aiming to extend the reach of existing evidence-based programs.

scholarly journals Assessment of campus community readiness for tailoring implementation of evidence-based online programs to prevent risky substance use among university students in Germany

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frauke Wichmann ◽  
Michael Braun ◽  
Thomas Ganz ◽  
Johanna Lubasch ◽  
Thomas Heidenreich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Program Implementation ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Community Readiness ◽  
Substance Use Prevention ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Online Interventions ◽  
Online Programs ◽  
German Universities

Abstract Research suggests that online interventions preventing risky substance use can improve student health. There is an increasing interest in transferring evidence-based online programs into university health promotion practice. However, little is known about how to best tailor the implementation process to capacities and context of individual universities. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of readiness (capacity) of German universities concerning the implementation of evidence-based online programs for risky substance use prevention employing an adapted Community Readiness Assessment (CRA) and to develop tailored action plans for implementation. The CRA involved 43 semi-structured interviews with key persons at 10 German universities. The interviews addressed five dimensions (knowledge of efforts, leadership, community climate, knowledge of the issue, and resources) at nine possible readiness stages (no awareness—ownership) and additional contextual factors. Overall, readiness for implementing online interventions across universities was rather low. Universities readiness levels ranged between the denial stage with a score of 2.1 and the preplanning stage with a score of 4.4. University-specific readiness was very heterogeneous. On the basis of the results of the CRA, universities received feedback and options for training on how to take the necessary steps to increase readiness and to prepare program implementation. The adapted version of the CRA was well suited to inform future implementation of evidence-based online programs for the prevention of risky substance use at participating universities.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of the Tier 1 Program of Project P.A.T.H.S.: Findings Based on the First 2 Years of Program Implementation

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 539-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T. L. Shek
Keyword(s):  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Program Implementation ◽  
School Adjustment ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
Tier 1 ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Development Levels ◽  
And Control

The Tier 1 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes) is a curricular-based program that attempts to promote positive youth development in Hong Kong. In the second year of the Full Implementation Phase, 20 experimental schools (N = 2,784 students) and 23 control schools (N = 3,401 students) participated in a randomized group trial. Analyses of covariance and linear mixed models, controlling for differences between the two groups in terms of Wave 1 pretest scores, personal variables, and random effect of schools, showed that participants in the experimental schools had significantly higher positive youth development levels than did participants in the control schools at post-test, based on different indicators derived from the Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale. The students in the experimental schools also displayed a lower level of delinquency, but better school adjustment than did students in the control schools. Differences between experimental and control participants were also found when students who joined the Tier 1 Program and perceived the program to be beneficial were employed as participants of the experimental schools.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of the Tier 1 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S.: Preliminary Objective and Subjective Outcome Evaluation Findings

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 1466-1474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel T.L. Shek
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Problem Behavior ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Subjective Outcome ◽  
Adolescent Problem Behavior ◽  
Tier 1 ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Preliminary Support

There are two tiers of programs in the Project P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes). In the Tier 1 Program, teaching units based on different positive youth development constructs are covered. Pre- and post-test data utilizing the Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale (CPYDS) and post-test subjective outcome evaluation data were collected from 546 students who participated in the 20h Tier 1 Program of the P.A.T.H.S. Project. Results showed that high proportions of the respondents had positive perceptions of the program and the instructors, with 85.3% of the respondents regarding the program as helpful to them. Positive changes in the program participants in many measures of positive youth development were also observed. Although there were some increases in problem behavior in some areas, adolescent problem behavior was generally stable. The present study provides preliminary support for the effectiveness of the Tier 1 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong.

scholarly journals Resource Review: Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 220-230
Author(s):  
Kirk Bloir
Keyword(s):  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Military Families ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Military Family ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Development Professionals ◽  
Youth Development Professionals ◽  
Family Readiness

Youth-serving professionals have unique opportunities to help support military families in promoting positive youth development. The Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness provides information, resources, and tools on effective programs and practices youth development professionals, schools, and communities can use to help support military families. It is a comprehensive, trusted, easy-to-navigate source of evidence-based and evidence-informed resources, technical assistance, and support that helps professionals who support military families do that work more effectively.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document