Abstract
This study examined the mediated and moderated effects of a universal family-focused preventive intervention, delivered during
young adolescence, on internalizing symptoms assessed in young adulthood. Sixth grade students (N = 446; 52% female; 98% White) and their families from 22 rural Midwestern school districts were randomly assigned to the
experimental conditions in 1993. Self-report questionnaires were administered at seven time points (pre-test to young adulthood—age
21) to those receiving the Iowa Strengthening Families Program (ISFP) and to the control group. Results showed that growth
factors of adolescent internalizing symptoms (grades 6–12) were predicted by ISFP condition and risk status (defined as early
substance initiation). Moderation of the condition effect by risk status was found, with higher-risk adolescents benefitting
more from the ISFP. Results also supported the hypothesis that the ISFP’s effect on internalizing symptoms in young adulthood
was mediated through growth factors of adolescents’ internalizing symptoms; risk moderation, however, was only marginally
significant in young adulthood. The relative reduction rate on clinical or subclinical levels of young adult internalizing
symptoms was 28%, indicating that for every 100 young adults displaying clinical or subclinical levels of internalizing symptoms
from school districts not offering an intervention, there could be as few as 72 displaying those levels of symptoms in school
districts that offered middle school prevention programming. These findings highlight how the positive effects of family-focused
universal interventions can extend to non-targeted outcomes and the related potential public-health impact of scaling up these
interventions.
young adolescence, on internalizing symptoms assessed in young adulthood. Sixth grade students (N = 446; 52% female; 98% White) and their families from 22 rural Midwestern school districts were randomly assigned to the
experimental conditions in 1993. Self-report questionnaires were administered at seven time points (pre-test to young adulthood—age
21) to those receiving the Iowa Strengthening Families Program (ISFP) and to the control group. Results showed that growth
factors of adolescent internalizing symptoms (grades 6–12) were predicted by ISFP condition and risk status (defined as early
substance initiation). Moderation of the condition effect by risk status was found, with higher-risk adolescents benefitting
more from the ISFP. Results also supported the hypothesis that the ISFP’s effect on internalizing symptoms in young adulthood
was mediated through growth factors of adolescents’ internalizing symptoms; risk moderation, however, was only marginally
significant in young adulthood. The relative reduction rate on clinical or subclinical levels of young adult internalizing
symptoms was 28%, indicating that for every 100 young adults displaying clinical or subclinical levels of internalizing symptoms
from school districts not offering an intervention, there could be as few as 72 displaying those levels of symptoms in school
districts that offered middle school prevention programming. These findings highlight how the positive effects of family-focused
universal interventions can extend to non-targeted outcomes and the related potential public-health impact of scaling up these
interventions.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Empirical Research
- Pages 1-14
- DOI 10.1007/s10964-011-9735-6
- Authors
- Linda Trudeau, The Partnerships in Prevention Science Institute, Iowa State University, ISU Research Park, Building 2, Suite 2400, 2625 North Loop Drive, Ames, IA 50010, USA
- Richard Spoth, The Partnerships in Prevention Science Institute, Iowa State University, ISU Research Park, Building 2, Suite 2400, 2625 North Loop Drive, Ames, IA 50010, USA
- G. Kevin Randall, Family and Consumer Sciences, Bradley University, Bradley Hall 05, 1501 W. Bradley Ave., Peoria, IL 61625, USA
- W. Alex Mason, Boys Town National Research Institute, 14100 Crawford Street, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
- Chungyeol Shin, The Partnerships in Prevention Science Institute, Iowa State University, ISU Research Park, Building 2, Suite 2400, 2625 North Loop Drive, Ames, IA 50010, USA
- Journal Journal of Youth and Adolescence
- Online ISSN 1573-6601
- Print ISSN 0047-2891