Breaking the cycle: An investigation of the effects of a primary prevention program on the prosocial behavior of young adolescents.

摘要

This study was designed to investigate the relation of primary prevention program teaching perspective taking, empathy, and communication skills to the prosocial behavior of young adolescents. Three hundred and thirty-six children in grades 5--8 took part in the 6-week intervention. The study followed a pre-test-post-test control group design. Prior to the implementation of the program all the participants were tested, both in the program group and control group. The program group received the program curriculum and the control group received their regular curriculum. Both groups were given post-tests at the end of 6 weeks. Results indicated that while the program did not decrease antisocial behavior and increase prosocial behavior in the children who received the program it may have possibly prevented an increase in antisocial behavior that is usually seen at the end of the school year.