Effects of Prevention in School (PS): a Swedish School-wide Positive Behavior Support Program at the Primary Prevention Level

Karolinska Institutet3,207 enrolled

Overview

Prevention in School (PS) is a modified School-Wide Positive Behavior Support Program at the universal prevention level, developed by Swedish researchers for the school years 4 -9. By defining and teaching school rules to all teachers and students, and by consistently acknowledging students when meeting behavioural expectations, the program aims to reduce problem behaviours in school areas and to improve the classroom learning climate. Against this background, the purpose of this study is to examine whether PS is more effective than schools' ordinary practices in meeting these goals.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

3,207

Conditions

Problem Behaviors Among Students Classroom Learning Environment

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 10 YearsMax age: 15 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Schools situated in Stockholm county and in bordering counties within travelling distance from Stockholm. * Comprising the grades 4-9 (10-15 years). * A minimum of 2 classes/50 students in each of the grades 5-7. * A majority (min.80%)of the staff is positive towards program participation. * School management willing to take active part in change/developmental work. * A willingness to submit to study conditions (randomization etc) Exclusion Criteria: * Participation in other ongoing research projects.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Student problem behaviors

1. Teacher-reported problem behaviors in school areas during last week 2. Teacher-reported problem behaviors in classrooms during last week 3. Student-reported problem behaviors in school areas during the school-year 4. Student-reported problem behaviors in classrooms during the school-year

Time frame: 24 months

Secondary Outcomes

Classroom learning climate

1. Teacher self-reports; Teacher Classroom Climate Scale 2. Student self-reports; Student Classroom Climate Scale