Citation

Gilchrist LD, Schinke SP, Blythe BJ. Child. Youth Serv. Rev. 1979; 1(4): 379-391.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1979, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0190-7409(79)90019-7

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Described and empirically supported is an interventive model for primary prevention of social and health problems among children and youth. Involving three components--information dissemination, information personalization, and skills acquisition--preventive intervention is delivered through a group training format. Data from two field applications of the model document its feasibility and effectiveness. The first application focuses on helping adolescents prevent unwanted pregnancy; the second on preventing cigarette smoking among preadolescents. In both studies self-report, behavioral, and objective data obtained at program's end and at 6-month follow-up favored trained youths when compared to those in untrained control conditions. The model's adjunctive benefits and directions for further research are discussed.