Achieving primary prevention program objectives through culture change systems.

The appropriate goal of reducing the onset of mental disorder through modifying organic factors, stress, exploitation, coping skills, self-esteem and group support, will require cultural change. Group, organizational, and community norms can stand in the way of prevention efforts. In order to create a more supportive cultural environment for primary prevention, culture change principles must be adopted and a systematic change strategy must be employed. A four phase, Normative Systems model is proposed. The model has shown its utility over its 30 year history. A description of a Normative Systems application with migrant farm workers helps to illustrate Normative Systems project development.