Can Prevention Work Where It Is Needed Most?

Abstract

This article addresses the generalizability of research showing that certain preventive interven tions reduce youth involvement in undesirable behaviors A middle school with multiple organ izational problems attempted to implement a comprehensive prevention program aimed at increasing social competencies, social bonding, and school success using program components that had been demonstrated in prior research to reduce problem behavior The program never reached the expected levels of implementation, and no dependable effects on youth behaviors or attitudes were observed. The results are placed in the context of research that has repeatedly shown that prevention programs work best in amenable settings.