A youth violence prevention program. Description and preliminary evaluation
P. S. Gainer, D. W. Webster and H. R. Champion
Washington Community Violence Prevention Program, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC 20010.
PROBLEM STATEMENT--In response to growing violence, primary prevention
programs have been launched, but scientific rationale and credible
evaluations have been lacking. METHODS--Fifth and seventh-grade students in
three inner-city schools (n = 135) participated in a violence prevention
program. Controls consisted of students from the same schools and grades
during the following school year (n = 115). Students were taught social
problem-solving skills and risk factors for violence. Multivariate analyses
were performed on posttest measures while controlling for base-line
differences. RESULTS--Program participants were much less likely to define
social problems in adversarial ways, were less likely to provide violent
solutions in hypothetical conflict situations, listed more negative
consequences to using violence, and were less inclined to legitimatize
violence. Risk factor knowledge also was significantly increased. No
increase was shown in the students' abilities to identify viable nonviolent
solutions. CONCLUSIONS--The program produced immediate influences on
knowledge and some attitudes and social skills shown to be related to
aggressive behavior.
