Preventing Child and Adolescent Problem Behavior: Evidence-based Strategies in Schools, Families, and Communities

Children and youth face enormous developmental challenges in American society. At no time in the country's history have young people been confronted simultaneously by such a wide array of positive and negative influences and opportunities. Fortunately, most adolescents become healthy adults who participate in positive life activities. For some young people, however, the path to successful adulthood is characterized by involvement in problem behaviors like substance abuse, delinquency, violence, or school dropout. Prevention has been heralded as an effective way to reduce the adverse effects associated with childhood and adolescent problem behavior. Bolstered by evidence indicating that empirically-based programs can prevent or delay the onset of child and adolescent problems, many schools and communities have strengthened their commitment to prevention programming. Yet efforts to identify and disseminate evidence-based school, family, and community prevention strategies are lacking. In this book, we trace the rationale, history, and evolution of prevention in the United States. Empirical evidence pertaining to the prevention of common child and adolescent problems is identified and systematically reviewed. A public health framework based on concepts of risk and protection is used as a theoretical guide to inform our review and discussion. Common characteristics of evidence-based prevention programs are identified. Program Implementation, fidelity, and adaptation challenges are discussed. Practice, policy, and educational recommendations aimed at advancing prevention are noted.

Jeffrey M. Jenson, Ph.D., is the Philip D. and Eleanor G. Winn Professor for Children and Youth at Risk and Associate Dean for Research in the Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver. Dr. Jenson's teaching and research interests address the etiology and prevention of child and adolescent problems of bullying, aggression, school dropout, and juvenile delinquency. His research focuses on the application of a risk and resilience approach to preventing child and adolescent health and behavior problems and on the evaluation of prevention strategies aimed at promoting positive youth development. Dr. Jenson has received several awards for his scholarship, including the Aaron Rosen Award from the Society for Social Work and Research in 2009. He was Editor-in-Chief of the journal Social Work Research from 2004 to 2008. Dr. Jenson was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare in 2011.

Kimberly Bender, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the University of Denver, Graduate School of Social Work, where she studies the prevention of youth problem behavior. Her interest lies in understanding how to best serve youth who cross multiple service settings. Her most recent work focuses on preventing victimization and related mental health problems among homeless youth. Dr. Bender has published numerous articles on topics related to the onset and persistence of antisocial conduct and mental health problems among children and youth.