title: Efficacy and Social Validity of Peer Network Interventions for High School Students With Severe Disabilities.
abstract: This randomized controlled trial examined the efficacy of peer network interventions to improve the social connections of 47 high school students with severe disabilities. School staff invited, trained, and supported 192 peers without disabilities to participate in individualized social groups that met throughout one semester. Compared to adolescents in the "business-as-usual" control group (n = 48), students receiving peer networks gained significantly more new social contacts and friendships. Although many peer relationships maintained one and two semesters later, their spill over beyond the school day was limited. Students and staff affirmed the social validity of the interventions. We offer recommendations for research and practice aimed at improving the implementation and impact of peer network interventions in secondary schools.
authors.affiliation: Jennifer M. Asmus, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Asmus
authors.affiliation: Erik W. Carter, Vanderbilt University.
authors.forename: Erik W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: Colleen K. Moss, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
authors.forename: Colleen K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Moss
authors.affiliation: Elizabeth E. Biggs, Vanderbilt University.
authors.forename: Elizabeth E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Biggs
authors.affiliation: Daniel M. Bolt, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
authors.forename: Daniel M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Bolt
authors.affiliation: Tiffany L. Born, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
authors.forename: Tiffany L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Born
authors.affiliation: Kristen Bottema-Beutel, Boston College.
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bottema-Beutel
authors.affiliation: Matthew E. Brock, The Ohio State University.
authors.forename: Matthew E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Brock
authors.affiliation: Gillian N. Cattey, Vanderbilt University.
authors.forename: Gillian N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Cattey
authors.affiliation: Molly Cooney, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
authors.forename: Molly
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cooney
authors.affiliation: Ethan S. Fesperman, Vanderbilt University.
authors.forename: Ethan S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Fesperman
authors.affiliation: Julia M. Hochman, Vanderbilt University.
authors.forename: Julia M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hochman
authors.affiliation: Heartley B. Huber, Vanderbilt University.
authors.forename: Heartley B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.affiliation: Jenna L. Lequia, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
authors.forename: Jenna L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lequia
authors.affiliation: Gregory L. Lyons, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
authors.forename: Gregory L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Lyons
authors.affiliation: Lori B. Vincent, University of Wisconsin-Madison; and.
authors.forename: Lori B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Vincent
authors.affiliation: Katie Weir, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Weir
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004519:Education, Special / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012919:Social Behavior; D012944:Social Support; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: autism; high school; intellectual disability; peer-mediated intervention; social relationships