Combining universal and targeted prevention for school-based eating disorder programs.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined a step toward providing a universal prevention program to all students while targeting those at risk.


METHODS
Seventy-eight 10th-grade female students were provided an on-line eating disorder prevention program and randomized to participate in (1) a higher risk and higher motivated group, (2) a lower risk or lower motivated group, or (3) a combined group.


RESULTS
The students in the first group made significantly fewer negative and more positive comments in the on-line group discussion than the higher risk and higher motivated participants in the combined group. However, there were no differences among groups on outcome measures.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that, because it is relatively easy to provide interventions with separate groups, it seems appropriate to do so, if for no other reason than to minimize the few very negative comments that were posted by students that might have created an adverse environment for the higher risk-participants that the intervention specifically targets.
Abascal
Liana
L
Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305-5722, USA.
Bruning Brown
Jennifer
J
Winzelberg
Andrew J
AJ
Dev
Parvati
P
Taylor
C Barr
CB
D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires