NCJ Number
150027
Journal
Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education Volume: 39 Issue: 3 Dated: (Spring 1994) Pages: 34-45
Date Published
1994
Length
12 pages
Annotation
A program to reduce juvenile alcohol and drug abuse by enhancing decisionmaking skills, self-esteem, and group bonding among children in kindergarten through grade six was evaluated by means of a comparison of children in six classrooms, four of which received the KIDS CARE program.
Abstract
The experimental group consisted of 45 girls and 41 boys in the third and fifth grades near Spokane, Wash.; the control group consisted of 21 girls and 25 boys. The program also targeted school staff, parents, and interested community members. The students completed the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory or the Harter Self-Perception Profile as well as an adjective checklist self-esteem measure and were asked to name three children they like most and three with whom they wish to spend more time. Teachers also selectively sampled high-risk and nonrisk students and rated them on a self-esteem measure. Results confirmed the use of the teacher nomination procedure as an appropriate means of differentiating high-risk and nonrisk students. Findings also suggested that following the intervention, a significant increase occurred in positive peer group inclusion of previously socially rejected high-risk estimates. Table and 21 references (Author abstract modified)