@article{ref1,
title="Incorporating well-adjusted peers in a conduct problems prevention program: evaluation of acceptability, fidelity, and safety of implementation",
journal="School mental health",
year="2017",
author="Hektner, Joel M. and Brennan, Alison L. and August, Gerald J.",
volume="9",
number="1",
pages="66-77",
abstract="In order to prevent iatrogenic effects associated with interventions that aggregate youth with behavior problems and to promote the integration of these youth into normative peer groups, a comprehensive evidence-based prevention program, Early Risers &quot;Skills for Success&quot; (August et al. in Preventing substance abuse: science-based programs for children and adolescents, American Psychological Association, Washington, 2007), was augmented to include well-adjusted children in a strategic peer affiliation component, or buddy system. A total of 190 kindergartners and first graders from five schools in a Midwestern US city were randomly assigned by school to receive the program or serve as controls. In the first summer program component, the children received 72 h of programming in academics, social skills, and creative arts, all within a highly structured social environment. The feasibility of the program was investigated through examination of acceptability, fidelity, and safety of programming, with special attention to acceptability and safety for well-adjusted peer mentors. <br><br>RESULTS showed that intervention fidelity, as measured by independent observers, was high. Acceptability was high as well, with no differences in attendance between well-adjusted children and children with behavioral problems. There was no evidence of iatrogenic effects or other unsafe outcomes: Peer-reported victimization did not increase, and well-adjusted children did not increase in aggression. In contrast, both well-adjusted children and their peers with behavior problems increased in teacher-rated social skills, and well-adjusted children increased in leadership. The results suggest that the pairing of well-adjusted children with behavior-problem children in a highly structured program such as Early Risers is a feasible program tactic in which the well-adjusted children may also derive some benefit.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1866-2625",
doi="10.1007/s12310-016-9199-7",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12310-016-9199-7"
}