An experimental evaluation of after school program participation on problem behavior outcomes: Does pre-existing risk moderate the effects of program participation?

摘要: Title of Document: AN EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM PARTICIPATION ON PROBLEM BEHAVIOR OUTCOMES: DOES PRE-EXISTING RISK MODERATE THE EFFECTS PARTICIPATION? Amanda Brown Cross, Ph.D, 2009 Directed By: Professor, Denise Gottfredson, Department Criminology and Criminal Justice Background: Some prevention programs negatively affect participants. Previous research indicates that peers can cause these negative effects. However, little is known about which students may be most vulnerable to peer effects in interventions. Purpose: This study tests the effect participation an after-school program (ASP) on student outcomes delinquency, problem behavior antisocial attitudes beliefs for differing pre-test levels risk those outcomes. Drawing social learning theory, this examines whether lowand moderaterisk intervention are more likely acquire delinquent behaviors ASP than their already-delinquent counterparts. Participants: 447 middle school attending underperforming schools Baltimore County, Maryland. Intervention: The data drawn from experimental evaluation after operated five County during 20062007 academic year. overall found null wide range measured (including achievement delinquency). I explore lack beneficial partially attributable among low moderate participants who absorbed high-risk ASP. Research Design: Randomized, controlled field trial. Findings: Results indicate youth not experience youths. On contrary, low-risk less Students began with elevated influences grew characteristic if they often participated but declined attended program. Implications universal discussed.