Implementation of PATHS Through Dutch Municipal Health Services: A Quasi-Experiment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4119/ijcv-2915Abstract
Only a limited number of effectiveness studies have been performed to study the benefits of efficacious behavior problems prevention programs for children when implemented through national health service systems. This study uses a quasi-experimental design to test the effectiveness of the school-based PATHS prevention program (Providing Alternative THinking Strategies) when implemented through Dutch municipal health services by health promotion professionals. A sample of 1,294 children was followed for two years: 674 children attending nine schools providing PATHS and 620 children in nine comparison schools. We hypothesized finding an intervention effect of PATHS in terms of a significant reduction in teacher- and student-rated externalizing and internalizing problem behaviors, and a significant improvement in teacher-, student-, and peer-rated social skills and emotional skills. In fact, the results show low levels of program implementation and no intervention effects on problem behavior or social and emotional skills, suggesting that it is hard to reproduce positive intervention effects where an efficacious social-emotional prevention program is implemented through a national health service. More research is needed on the specific conditions required to implement efficacious programs effectively.Published
2012-11-08
How to Cite
Goossens, F., Gooren, E., Orobio de Castro, B., Van Overveld, K., Buijs, G., Monshouwer, K., Onrust, S., & Paulussen, T. (2012). Implementation of PATHS Through Dutch Municipal Health Services: A Quasi-Experiment. International Journal of Conflict and Violence, 6(2), 234–248. https://doi.org/10.4119/ijcv-2915
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Section
Focus: Evidence-Based Developmental Prevention of Youth Violence and Bullying...
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