What works in prevention

Principles of effective prevention programs

Bibliographic Data

ID5774823
AuthorsMaury Nation, Cindy A Crusto (0000-0003-3300-3040), Cindy Crusto, Abraham Wandersman (0000-0002-8952-2184), Karol L Kumpfer (0000-0002-4333-9886), Diana Seybolt, Erin Morrissey-Kane, Katrina Davino
Year2003
Volume58
Issue6-7
Pages449-456
Publication date2003-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Psychologist (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0003-066X • E-ISSN: 1935-990X
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1037/0003-066x.58.6-7.449
PMID12971191
OpenAlexW2016317357
LanguageEN
Citations received236
References cited34

The high prevalence of drug abuse, delinquency, youth violence, and other youth problems creates a need to identify and disseminate effective prevention strategies. General principles gleaned from effective interventions may help prevention practitioners select, modify, or create more effective programs. Using a review-of-reviews approach across 4 areas (substance abuse, risky sexual behavior, school failure, and juvenile delinquency and violence), the authors identified 9 characteristics that were consistently associated with effective prevention programs: Programs were comprehensive, included varied teaching methods, provided sufficient dosage, were theory driven, provided opportunities for positive relationships, were appropriately timed, were socioculturally relevant, included outcome evaluation, and involved well-trained staff. This synthesis can inform the planning and implementation of problem-specific prevention interventions, provide a rationale for multi-problem prevention programs, and serve as a basis for further research

Crime prevention · Prevention science · Substance abuse prevention · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Community Health and Development · Youth Development and Social Support