Promoting positive adolescent development for at-risk students with a student assistance program.

This study evaluated the psycho-educational small-group component of the CASPAR Youth Services Student Assistance Program with a randomized-controlled trial. Two cohorts of at-risk sixth graders from six schools in two communities were randomly assigned to intervention or control conditions and tested one and a half years later at the end of the seventh grade. A generalized estimating equations model yielded a significant intervention effect on all three composite outcome variables. The results support the effectiveness of prevention strategies aimed at promoting positive youth development and a social influence process for adolescents that creates trusting relationships as the foundation for helping youth improve key skills, exert greater control over their lives, and make informed decisions about substances. EDITOR'S STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS: School administrators should be aware of this promising approach (pending replication) of using student assistance counselors to promote children's intrinsic motivation and potential for positive decision making.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes