Preventing Youth Violence and Delinquency through a Universal School-Based Prevention Approach

Abstract

Abstract:Violence is an important public health problem among adolescents in the United States. Substance use and violence tend to co-occur among adolescents and appear to have similar etiologies. The present study examined the extent to which a comprehensive prevention approach targeting an array of individual-level risk and protective factors and previously found effective in preventing tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use is capable of decreasing violence and delinquency. Schools (N=41) were randomly assigned to intervention and control conditions. Participants in the 20 intervention schools received the Life Skills Training prevention program including material focusing on violence and the media, anger management, and conflict resolution skills. Survey data were collected from 4,858 sixth grade students prior to the intervention and three months later after the intervention. Findings showed significant reductions in violence and delinquency for intervention participants relative to controls. Stronger prevention effects were found for students who received at least half of the preventive intervention. These effects include less verbal and physical aggression, fighting, and delinquency. The results of this study indicate that a school-based prevention approach previously found to prevent tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use can also prevent violence and delinquency.

Worldwide application of prevention science in adolescent health

“…The last set of efficacious prevention programmes shown in table 2 addresses peer and individual risk factors and seek to change many outcomes, including drug use (Unplugged 65 and Life Skills Training 66,67 ), positive development (Positive Adolescent Training Through Holistic Social Programs 68,69 ), and risky sexual behaviours (Stepping Stones 70,75 and Sistering, Informing, Healing, Loving and Empowering 71 ). These prevention pro grammes have been assessed in several European countries, Hong Kong, South Africa, and the USA; they provide services directly to young people and target adolescent-onset risk factors.…”

Violence and Unintentional Injuries Among School Students Aged 15 - 19 Years in Jordan

“…Promoting healthy practices among adolescent students and taking steps to protect them from health risks, in addition to formulating interventions and policies are critical for preventing health problems in adolescence and adulthood across countries (16).…”

Impact of the School Outreach Tour Program of Citizens Archive of Pakistan on Students' Perceptions and Attitudes

“…Two previous quasi-experimental studies utilizing archival school-level data (Flay & Allred, 2003) reported beneficial effects on student achievement (e.g., math, reading, and science) and serious problem behaviours (e.g., suspensions and violence rates). As practitioners, policymakers and researchers have implemented programs and sought to raise academic achievement and to address negative behaviours among the youth, an increasing amount of evidence indicates a relationship among multiple behaviours (Botvin, Griffin, & Nichols, 2006;Catalano, Berglund, Ryan, Lonczak, & Hawkins, 2004;Flay, 2002). Several mechanisms involving multiple behaviours have been identified in improving student behaviour and performance (Domitrovich, Cortes, & Greenberg, 2007;Zins, Weissberg, Wang, & Walberg, 2004).…”