Advancing Intervention Science Through Effectiveness Research: A Global Perspective

Effectiveness research is maturing as a field within intervention and prevention science. Effectiveness research involves
the implementation and evaluation of the effectiveness of the dissemination of evidence-based interventions in everyday circumstances
(i.e., type 2 translational research). Effectiveness research is characterized by diverse types of research studies. Progress
in this field has the potential to inform several debates within intervention science [e.g., fidelity versus local and cultural
adaptation; identification of core components, effective dissemination systems).

To provide illustrations from different countries (Ireland, Italy, South Africa, Sweden, New Zealand, and the United States)
of how intervention science might raise the value of future effectiveness or type 2 translational research.

Themes raised by individual articles and across articles are summarized and expanded on in this commentary.

Themes consist of raising awareness about the importance of effectiveness research on the cultural adaptation of evidence-based
interventions and intervention support structures, as well as further development of strategies to bridge the gap between
research and practice.

Effectiveness research has an important role to play in affecting systemic change on a population level and allowing us to
gain a realistic global understanding of the phenomena we hope to change through interventions. Articles in this special issue
provide reports from social scientists and practitioners located in various parts of the world and offer a rich, diverse portrait
of effectiveness research and theory development. The totality of the work contained in this special issue anticipates many
of the changes that intervention and prevention science will undergo as we progress and develop effective dissemination strategies
for evidence-based interventions that promote positive youth development and prevent youth and family problems on a global
scale.