|
Citation
|
Thakore RV, Apfeld JC, Johnson RK, Sathiyakumar V, Jahangir AA, Sethi MK. J. Inj. Violence Res. 2015; 7(2): 45-53. |
|
Affiliation
|
The Vanderbilt Orthopaedic Institute, Center for Health Policy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.Manish.Sethi@Vanderbilt.edu. |
|
Abstract
|
BACKGROUND: Violence has recently been reported among a primarily young, minority population in Nashville, Tennessee. School-based programs have been proven as effective methods of reducing violent behavior, beliefs, and actions that lead to violence among adolescents.
METHODS: Investigators implemented a rigorous search for an appropriate school-based violence prevention program for Metropolitan Nashville middle school students utilizing a systematic review and discussion group with victims of violence. 27 programs nation-wide were reviewed and 2 discussion groups with African American males under the age of 25 admitted to a level 1 trauma center for assault-related injuries were conducted. Our findings led to a single, evidence-based conflict resolution program. In conjunction with educators, we evaluated the program's effectiveness in a pilot study in a Nashville middle school with high rates of violence.
RESULTS: 122 students completed the conflict resolution program and described their behavior and experiences with violence in a pre-test/post-test self-rate questionnaire.
RESULTS showed a significant decrease in violent behavior and an increase in students' competencies to deal with violence (p less than 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that a reduction in violent behavior and beliefs among middle school students can be achieved through the implementation of a targeted violence intervention program. A larger-scale intervention is needed to develop more conclusive evidence of effectiveness. 2014 KUMS, All rights reserved.
Language: en |