Social decision-making and life skills development: a critical thinking approach to health promotion in the middle school.
This article discusses a classroom-based social decision-making intervention for health promotion and prevention of problem behaviors. The social decision-making approach brings together social-cognitive, affective, behavioral, and social relationship areas with critical thinking skills important for academic achievement. These skills are the same ones needed to promote children's health and prevent substance abuse and related health-compromising behaviors. Key components of this program, its development, and theoretical background are discussed, focusing on implications for school-based health promotion. As such, social decision-making provides an approach to health promotion that enhances coordination among classroom and health education personnel. The middle school years, a time of increasing risk for negative health-related outcomes, are examined as a key period for intervention. Finally, empirical evidence supporting use of social decision-making and related approaches is discussed.
Elias
M J
MJ
Dept. of Psychology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903.
Kress
J S
JS
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D003657:Decision Making; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012919:Social Behavior