The goal of this study is to develop, implement, and test the efficacy of a multi-component program of school-based interventions in the primary prevention of problem behavior in a sample of middle school students. Problem behaviors of interest include tobacco, alcohol, and other substance use; and conduct at school, home, and in the community. Interventions will be directed toward improving the resistance of students to pressures to engage in problem behavior and toward the school environment and parents to provide support for student prosocial behavior. The primary research question is """"""""What is the effect on problem behavior among students participating in a special intervention that includes an orientation to middle school, early identification and counseling, non- traditional curriculum, and parent intervention compared to students in the comparison group?"""""""" Objectives of the study include: (1) evaluate the extent and quality of implementation of the intervention components; (2) evaluate the impact of the intervention components on selected mediating variables, including student and parent self efficacy, expectancies, and perceived social norms; and (3) evaluate the impact of the intervention on the extent of problem behavior.

Project Start
1994-06-15
Project End
1999-06-14
Budget Start
1995-06-27
Budget End
1996-06-13
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1995
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Behavior and Health Research, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Rockville
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
20852
Chen, Rusan; Simons-Morton, Bruce (2009) Concurrent changes in conduct problems and depressive symptoms in early adolescents: a developmental person-centered approach. Dev Psychopathol 21:285-307
Simons-Morton, Bruce (2007) Social influences on adolescent substance use. Am J Health Behav 31:672-84
Simons-Morton, Bruce; Haynie, Denise; Saylor, Keith et al. (2005) Impact analysis and mediation of outcomes: the Going Places program. Health Educ Behav 32:227-41
Simons-Morton, Bruce; Chen, Rusan (2005) Latent growth curve analyses of parent influences on drinking progression among early adolescents. J Stud Alcohol 66:5-13
Simons-Morton, Bruce G; Hartos, Jessica L; Haynie, Denise L (2004) Prospective analysis of peer and parent influences on minor aggression among early adolescents. Health Educ Behav 31:22-33
Simons-Morton, Bruce G (2004) The protective effect of parental expectations against early adolescent smoking initiation. Health Educ Res 19:561-9
Simons-Morton, Bruce G; Haynie, Denise L (2003) Psychosocial predictors of increased smoking stage among sixth graders. Am J Health Behav 27:592-602
Simons-Morton, Bruce G (2002) Prospective analysis of peer and parent influences on smoking initiation among early adolescents. Prev Sci 3:275-83
Simons-Morton, B; Crump, A D; Haynie, D L et al. (1999) Psychosocial, school, and parent factors associated with recent smoking among early-adolescent boys and girls. Prev Med 28:138-48