Effects of a school-based prevention program for potential high school dropouts and drug abusers.
This study tested the effects of a prevention program based on an integrated social support and psychoeducational model. A semester-long Interpersonal Relations (IPR) class was predicted to deter school drop-out problems and drug abuse among adolescents. Quasi-experimental designs were used to field test the IPR program with 264 high-risk students in one of two conditions: (1) pretest, treatment, and posttest; (2) pretest and posttest. All hypotheses were supported. Significantly more potential dropouts were retained in the treated (74%) versus the comparison group (61%); differences in daily attendance (F = 12.88) and GPA, school achievement (F = 16.89), were significantly better in the treatment group (p less than .0001); drug involvement declined significantly from pre- to posttreatment for IPR program participants (t = 4.61, p less than .0001). Implications for treatment and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Eggert
L L
LL
University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Seyl
C D
CD
Nicholas
L J
LJ
D000041:Absenteeism; D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013332:Student Dropouts / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D014477:Underachievement