Effectiveness of universal school-based programs to prevent violent and aggressive behavior: a systematic review.
Universal, school-based programs, intended to prevent violent behavior, have been used at all grade levels from pre-kindergarten through high school. These programs may be targeted to schools in a high-risk area-defined by low socioeconomic status or high crime rate-and to selected grades as well. All children in those grades receive the programs in their own classrooms, not in special pull-out sessions. According to the criteria of the systematic review methods developed for the Guide to Community Preventive Services (Community Guide), there is strong evidence that universal, school-based programs decrease rates of violence among school-aged children and youth. Program effects were consistent at all grade levels. An independent, recently updated meta-analysis of school-based programs confirms and supplements the Community Guide findings.
Hahn
Robert
R
National Center for Health Marketing, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. Rhahn@cdc.gov
Fuqua-Whitley
Dawna
D
Wethington
Holly
H
Lowy
Jessica
J
Crosby
Alex
A
Fullilove
Mindy
M
Johnson
Robert
R
Liberman
Akiva
A
Moscicki
Eve
E
Price
LeShawndra
L
Snyder
Susan
S
Tuma
Farris
F
Cory
Stella
S
Stone
Glenda
G
Mukhopadhaya
Kaushik
K
Chattopadhyay
Sajal
S
Dahlberg
Linda
L
D000374:Aggression; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011314:Preventive Health Services; D011315:Preventive Medicine; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services; D012574:Schools; D012923:Social Class; D013334:Students; D014481:United States; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control*