Positive youth development in Belize: a cluster-randomised trial of Positive Action. Issue 8 (14th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hull, Darrell M.; Hinerman, Krystal M.; Fagan, Marcus A.; Powell, Marvin G.; Näslund-Hadley, Emma I.; Hayes, DeMarquis
• Is Part Of: Educational psychology. Volume 41:Issue 8(2021)
• Page Start: 1003
• Page End: 1023
• Publication Date: 2021-09-14
• Subjects: Positive youth development -- Caribbean youth -- cluster randomised trial -- social emotional learning -- Positive Action -- HLM; Educational psychology -- Periodicals; 370.15
• DOI: 10.1080/01443410.2021.1922611
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-3410

Abstract

Abstract: Aggressive, violent, and disruptive behaviour among Belize youth is disproportionately high. The present study evaluated a school-based positive youth development program (Positive Action) using a clustered RCT. The aim of the study sought to examine post-treatment positive youth development competencies (i.e. social-emotional character development, peer affiliation, substance abuse and violence tendencies, moral beliefs, pro-social behaviour, and school self-esteem) in comparison to students in a randomly assigned control group of schools. Participants ( n = 4575) were from 24 schools drawn at random in the Belize District with outcomes assessed for two cohorts (Standard 1−3, and Standard 4−6) of children. The intervention addressed different ecologies through teacher, counsellor, and family training along with activities to promote school-wide implementation. Positive main effects for engagement in positive behaviour were observed across primary school Standards 1−6 (ages 7–12 years), indicated by substantial explained slope and intercept variance.