Skip to main content
Erschienen in: Prevention Science 3/2007

01.09.2007

Mediators of the Development and Prevention of Violent Behavior

verfasst von: Robert J. Jagers, Antonio A. Morgan-Lopez, Terry-Lee Howard, Dorothy C. Browne, Brian R. Flay, Aban Aya Coinvestigators

Erschienen in: Prevention Science | Ausgabe 3/2007

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if the Aban Aya Youth Project, a culturally grounded intervention, produced differences in changes over time in core intervening variables (i.e., communal value orientation, empathy, violence avoidance efficacy beliefs) and whether these variables mediated intervention effects on the development of youth violent behavior. Fifth grade cohorts at 12 schools were randomly assigned to one of two intervention conditions or an attention placebo control condition and followed longitudinally through eighth grade. A total of 668 students (49% male) participated in the study. Mediation analyses suggested that both program conditions (as compared to the control condition) led to steeper increases over time in empathy which, in turn were related to reductions in the likelihood of violent behavior over time. No other significant program effects were detected, although changes over time in violence avoidance efficacy were associated with reduced likelihood of violent behavior. Findings are discussed in terms of theory development, program development and points of refinement of the Aban Aya Youth Project and implications for future research.
Fußnoten
1
For consistency with other published work on the Aban Aya intervention on overall program effects (i.e., that did not assess mediation), we initially included intervention by gender interaction effects on mediators and outcomes and found that a) the interventions did not function significantly differently across gender in their direct effects on violent behavior after controlling for the mediators (as had been found previously outside the context of mediation) and b) there were no significant gender differences in program efficacy on the mediators examined in this study.
 
Literatur
Zurück zum Zitat Bandura, A. (2001). Social cognitive theory: An agentic perspective. Annual Review of Psychology, 52, 1–26.PubMedCrossRef Bandura, A. (2001). Social cognitive theory: An agentic perspective. Annual Review of Psychology, 52, 1–26.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Banks, R., Houge, A., Timberlake, T., & Liddle, H. (1998). An Afrocentric approach to group social skills training with inner-city African-American adolescents. Journal of Negro Education, 65, 414–423.CrossRef Banks, R., Houge, A., Timberlake, T., & Liddle, H. (1998). An Afrocentric approach to group social skills training with inner-city African-American adolescents. Journal of Negro Education, 65, 414–423.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Botvin, G. J, Schinke, S. P., Epstein, J. A., Diaz, T., & Botvin, E. M. (1995). Effectiveness of culturally focused and generic training approaches to alcohol and drug abuse prevention among minority adolescents: Two year follow up results. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 9, 183–194.CrossRef Botvin, G. J, Schinke, S. P., Epstein, J. A., Diaz, T., & Botvin, E. M. (1995). Effectiveness of culturally focused and generic training approaches to alcohol and drug abuse prevention among minority adolescents: Two year follow up results. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 9, 183–194.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Bryant, B. K. (1982). An index of empathy for children and adolescents. Child Development, 53, 413–425.CrossRef Bryant, B. K. (1982). An index of empathy for children and adolescents. Child Development, 53, 413–425.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Caprara, G. V., Regalia, C., & Bandura, A. (2002). Longitudinal impact of perceived self-regulatory efficacy on violent conduct. European Psychologist, 7, 63–69.CrossRef Caprara, G. V., Regalia, C., & Bandura, A. (2002). Longitudinal impact of perceived self-regulatory efficacy on violent conduct. European Psychologist, 7, 63–69.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Catalano, R. F., Berglund, M., Ryan, J. A. M., Lonczak, H. S., & Hawkins, D. (1999). Positive youth development in the United States: Research findings on evaluations of positive youth development programs. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Catalano, R. F., Berglund, M., Ryan, J. A. M., Lonczak, H. S., & Hawkins, D. (1999). Positive youth development in the United States: Research findings on evaluations of positive youth development programs. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Zurück zum Zitat Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2004). Violence-related behaviors among high school students—United States, 1991–2003. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 53, 651–655. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2004). Violence-related behaviors among high school students—United States, 1991–2003. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 53, 651–655.
Zurück zum Zitat Cheong, J. (2002). Investigation of a method to evaluate mediating mechanisms to reduce adolescent DUI in a school-based prevention program. Doctoral Dissertation, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ. Cheong, J. (2002). Investigation of a method to evaluate mediating mechanisms to reduce adolescent DUI in a school-based prevention program. Doctoral Dissertation, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ.
Zurück zum Zitat Cheong, J., MacKinnon, D. P., & Khoo, S. T. (2001). A latent growth modeling approach to mediation analysis. In L. Collins & A. Sayer (Eds.), New methods for the analysis of change (pp. 390–392). Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association. Cheong, J., MacKinnon, D. P., & Khoo, S. T. (2001). A latent growth modeling approach to mediation analysis. In L. Collins & A. Sayer (Eds.), New methods for the analysis of change (pp. 390–392). Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.
Zurück zum Zitat Cheong, J., MacKinnon, D. P., & Khoo, S. T. (2003). Investigation of mediational processes using parallel process latent growth curve modeling. Structural Equation Modeling, 10, 238–262.CrossRef Cheong, J., MacKinnon, D. P., & Khoo, S. T. (2003). Investigation of mediational processes using parallel process latent growth curve modeling. Structural Equation Modeling, 10, 238–262.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Chen, H.-T. (1990). Theory driven evaluations. Newbury Park, CA: Sage. Chen, H.-T. (1990). Theory driven evaluations. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Zurück zum Zitat Clubb, P. A., Browne, D. C., Humphrey, A. D., Schoenbach, V., Meyer, B., Jackson, M., et al. (2001). Violent behavior in early adolescent minority youth: Results from a “middle school youth behavior survey.” Maternal and Child Health Journal, 5, 225–235.PubMedCrossRef Clubb, P. A., Browne, D. C., Humphrey, A. D., Schoenbach, V., Meyer, B., Jackson, M., et al. (2001). Violent behavior in early adolescent minority youth: Results from a “middle school youth behavior survey.” Maternal and Child Health Journal, 5, 225–235.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Davis, M. H. (1983). Measuring individual differences in empathy: Evidence for a multidimensional approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 44, 113–126.CrossRef Davis, M. H. (1983). Measuring individual differences in empathy: Evidence for a multidimensional approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 44, 113–126.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Feshbach, N. (1975). Empathy in children: Some theoretical and empirical considerations. The Counseling Psychologist, 5, 25–30.CrossRef Feshbach, N. (1975). Empathy in children: Some theoretical and empirical considerations. The Counseling Psychologist, 5, 25–30.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Flay, B. R., & Petraitis, J. (1994). The theory of triadic influences: A new theory of health behavior with implications for preventive interventions. In G. S. Albrecht (Ed.), Advances in medical sociology, Vol. IV: A reconsideration of models of health behavior change. Greenwich, CN: JAI Press. Flay, B. R., & Petraitis, J. (1994). The theory of triadic influences: A new theory of health behavior with implications for preventive interventions. In G. S. Albrecht (Ed.), Advances in medical sociology, Vol. IV: A reconsideration of models of health behavior change. Greenwich, CN: JAI Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Flay, B. R., Graumlich, S., Segawa, E., Burns, J. L., Holliday, M. Y., & the Aban Aya Investigators (2004). Effects of 2 prevention programs on high-risk behaviors among African American youth: A randomized trial. Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, 158, 377–384.CrossRef Flay, B. R., Graumlich, S., Segawa, E., Burns, J. L., Holliday, M. Y., & the Aban Aya Investigators (2004). Effects of 2 prevention programs on high-risk behaviors among African American youth: A randomized trial. Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, 158, 377–384.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Graham, J., Flay, B. R., Johnson, C. A., Hansen, W. B., & Collins, L. M. (1984). Group comparability: A multi-attribute utility measurement approach to the use of random assignment with small numbers of aggregated units. Evaluation Review, 8, 247–260.CrossRef Graham, J., Flay, B. R., Johnson, C. A., Hansen, W. B., & Collins, L. M. (1984). Group comparability: A multi-attribute utility measurement approach to the use of random assignment with small numbers of aggregated units. Evaluation Review, 8, 247–260.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Greene, L. W., Smith, M. S., & Peters, S. R. (1995). “I have a future” comprehensive adolescent health promotion: Cultural considerations in program implementation and design. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 6, 267–281.PubMed Greene, L. W., Smith, M. S., & Peters, S. R. (1995). “I have a future” comprehensive adolescent health promotion: Cultural considerations in program implementation and design. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 6, 267–281.PubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Hoffman, M. L. (2000). Empathy and moral development: Implications for caring and justice. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Hoffman, M. L. (2000). Empathy and moral development: Implications for caring and justice. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Humphries, M., Parker, B., & Jagers, R. J. (2000). Predictors of moral maturity among African American children. Journal of Black Psychology, 26, 51–64.CrossRef Humphries, M., Parker, B., & Jagers, R. J. (2000). Predictors of moral maturity among African American children. Journal of Black Psychology, 26, 51–64.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Jagers, R. J.(1997). Afrocultural integrity and the social development of African American children: Some conceptual, empirical, and practical considerations. Journal of Prevention and Intervention in the Community, 16, 7–34.CrossRef Jagers, R. J.(1997). Afrocultural integrity and the social development of African American children: Some conceptual, empirical, and practical considerations. Journal of Prevention and Intervention in the Community, 16, 7–34.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Jagers, R. J., & Mock, L. O. (1993). Culture and social outcomes among inner-city African American children: An Afrographic exploration. Journal of Black Psychology, 19, 391–405.CrossRef Jagers, R. J., & Mock, L. O. (1993). Culture and social outcomes among inner-city African American children: An Afrographic exploration. Journal of Black Psychology, 19, 391–405.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Jagers, R. J., & Mock, L. O. (1995) The Communalism Scale and collectivistic–individualistic tendencies: Some preliminary findings. Journal of Black Psychology, 21, 153–167.CrossRef Jagers, R. J., & Mock, L. O. (1995) The Communalism Scale and collectivistic–individualistic tendencies: Some preliminary findings. Journal of Black Psychology, 21, 153–167.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Jagers, R. J., Mattis, J. S., & Walker, K. (2003). A cultural psychology framework for the study of morality and African American community violence. In D. F. Hawkins (Ed.), Violent crime: Assessing race and class differences. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Jagers, R. J., Mattis, J. S., & Walker, K. (2003). A cultural psychology framework for the study of morality and African American community violence. In D. F. Hawkins (Ed.), Violent crime: Assessing race and class differences. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Jagers, R. J., Sydnor, K., Mouttapa, M., & Flay, B. Protective factors against violent behavior: Preliminary work on a cultural model. American Journal of Community Psychology (in press) Jagers, R. J., Sydnor, K., Mouttapa, M., & Flay, B. Protective factors against violent behavior: Preliminary work on a cultural model. American Journal of Community Psychology (in press)
Zurück zum Zitat Kann, L., Kinchen, S. A., Williams, B. I., Ross, J. G., Lowry, R., Grunbaum, J. A., et al. (2000). Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance—United States, 1999. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 49, (SS05) 1–96. Kann, L., Kinchen, S. A., Williams, B. I., Ross, J. G., Lowry, R., Grunbaum, J. A., et al. (2000). Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance—United States, 1999. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 49, (SS05) 1–96.
Zurück zum Zitat Karenga, M. (1980) Kawaida theory: An introductory outline. Inglewood, CA: Kawaida. Karenga, M. (1980) Kawaida theory: An introductory outline. Inglewood, CA: Kawaida.
Zurück zum Zitat Kaukiainen, A., Bjoerkqvist, K., Lagerspetz, K. Oesterman, K., Salmivalli, C., Rothberg, S., et al. (1999). The relationship between social intelligence, empathy and three types of aggression. Aggressive Behavior, 25, 81–89.CrossRef Kaukiainen, A., Bjoerkqvist, K., Lagerspetz, K. Oesterman, K., Salmivalli, C., Rothberg, S., et al. (1999). The relationship between social intelligence, empathy and three types of aggression. Aggressive Behavior, 25, 81–89.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Kingery, P. M., Biafora, F. A., & Zimmerman, R. S. (1996). Risk factors for violent behaviors among ethnically diverse urban adolescents. School Psychology International, 17, 171–188.CrossRef Kingery, P. M., Biafora, F. A., & Zimmerman, R. S. (1996). Risk factors for violent behaviors among ethnically diverse urban adolescents. School Psychology International, 17, 171–188.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Lewis, K. M., Sullivan, C. M., & Bybee, D. (2006). An experimental evaluation of a school based emancipatory intervention to promote African American well-being and youth leadership. Journal of Black Psychology, 32, 3–28.CrossRef Lewis, K. M., Sullivan, C. M., & Bybee, D. (2006). An experimental evaluation of a school based emancipatory intervention to promote African American well-being and youth leadership. Journal of Black Psychology, 32, 3–28.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat MacKinnon, D. P., Fritz, M. S., Williams, J., & Lockwood, C. M. (2007). Distribution of the product confidence limits for the indirect effect program PRODCLIN. Behavior Research Methods (in press). MacKinnon, D. P., Fritz, M. S., Williams, J., & Lockwood, C. M. (2007). Distribution of the product confidence limits for the indirect effect program PRODCLIN. Behavior Research Methods (in press).
Zurück zum Zitat MacKinnon, D. P., & Lockwood, C. M. (2001). Distribution of the product of the mediated effect. (Unpublished manuscript) MacKinnon, D. P., & Lockwood, C. M. (2001). Distribution of the product of the mediated effect. (Unpublished manuscript)
Zurück zum Zitat MacKinnon, D. P., Lockwood, C. M., Hoffman, J. M., West, S. G., & Sheets, V. (2002). A comparison of methods to test mediation and other intervening variable effects. Psychological Methods, 7, 83–104.PubMedCrossRef MacKinnon, D. P., Lockwood, C. M., Hoffman, J. M., West, S. G., & Sheets, V. (2002). A comparison of methods to test mediation and other intervening variable effects. Psychological Methods, 7, 83–104.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat MacKinnon, D. P., Lockwood, C. M., & Williams, J. (2004). Confidence limits for the indirect effect: Distribution of the product and resampling methods. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 39, 99–128.CrossRef MacKinnon, D. P., Lockwood, C. M., & Williams, J. (2004). Confidence limits for the indirect effect: Distribution of the product and resampling methods. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 39, 99–128.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat McMahon, S. D., & Washburn, J. J. (2003). Violence prevention: An evaluation of program effects with urban African American students. Journal of Primary Prevention, 24, 43–62.CrossRef McMahon, S. D., & Washburn, J. J. (2003). Violence prevention: An evaluation of program effects with urban African American students. Journal of Primary Prevention, 24, 43–62.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Muthén, L. K., & Muthén, B. O. (1998–2004). MPlus user’s guide: The comprehensive modeling program for applied researchers (2nd ed.). Los Angeles: Muthén & Muthén. Muthén, L. K., & Muthén, B. O. (1998–2004). MPlus user’s guide: The comprehensive modeling program for applied researchers (2nd ed.). Los Angeles: Muthén & Muthén.
Zurück zum Zitat Ngwe, J. E., Liu, L. C., Flay, B. R., Segawa, E., & Aban Aya Investigators (2004). Violence prevention among African American adolescent males. American Journal of Health Behavior, 28 (Supplement 1), s24–s37.PubMed Ngwe, J. E., Liu, L. C., Flay, B. R., Segawa, E., & Aban Aya Investigators (2004). Violence prevention among African American adolescent males. American Journal of Health Behavior, 28 (Supplement 1), s24–s37.PubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Patock-Peckham, J. A., & Morgan-Lopez, A. A. (2006). College drinking behaviors: Mediational links between parenting styles, impulse control, drinking control, and alcohol use and problems. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 20, 117–125.PubMedCrossRef Patock-Peckham, J. A., & Morgan-Lopez, A. A. (2006). College drinking behaviors: Mediational links between parenting styles, impulse control, drinking control, and alcohol use and problems. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 20, 117–125.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Riner, M. E., & Saywell, R. M. (2002). Development of the social ecology model of adolescent interpersonal violence prevention (SEMAIVP). Journal of School Health, 72, 65–70.PubMedCrossRef Riner, M. E., & Saywell, R. M. (2002). Development of the social ecology model of adolescent interpersonal violence prevention (SEMAIVP). Journal of School Health, 72, 65–70.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Sams, D. P., & Truscott, S. D. (2004). Empathy, exposure to community violence and use of violence among urban, at risk adolescents. Child & Youth Care Forum, 33, 33–50.CrossRef Sams, D. P., & Truscott, S. D. (2004). Empathy, exposure to community violence and use of violence among urban, at risk adolescents. Child & Youth Care Forum, 33, 33–50.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Segawa, E., Ngwe, J. E., Li, Y., Flay, B. R., & Aban Aya Coinvestigators (2005). Evaluation of the effects of the Aban Aya Youth Project in reducing violence among African American adolescent males using latent class growth mixture modeling techniques. Evaluation Review, 29, 128–148.PubMedCrossRef Segawa, E., Ngwe, J. E., Li, Y., Flay, B. R., & Aban Aya Coinvestigators (2005). Evaluation of the effects of the Aban Aya Youth Project in reducing violence among African American adolescent males using latent class growth mixture modeling techniques. Evaluation Review, 29, 128–148.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Snyder, H. N., & Sickmund, M. (1999). Juvenile offenders and victims: 1999 national report. Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. Snyder, H. N., & Sickmund, M. (1999). Juvenile offenders and victims: 1999 national report. Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice.
Zurück zum Zitat Ward, J. V. (1995). Cultivating a morality of care in African American adolescents: A culture-based model of violence prevention. Harvard Educational Review, 65, 175–188. Ward, J. V. (1995). Cultivating a morality of care in African American adolescents: A culture-based model of violence prevention. Harvard Educational Review, 65, 175–188.
Zurück zum Zitat Weissberg, R. P., & Greenberg, M. T. (1997). School and community competence-enhancement and prevention programs. In W. Damon, I. E. Sigel, & K. A. Renninger (Eds.) Handbook of child psychology: Vol 5. Child psychology in practice (5th ed., pp 877–954). New York: Wiley. Weissberg, R. P., & Greenberg, M. T. (1997). School and community competence-enhancement and prevention programs. In W. Damon, I. E. Sigel, & K. A. Renninger (Eds.) Handbook of child psychology: Vol 5. Child psychology in practice (5th ed., pp 877–954). New York: Wiley.
Metadaten
Titel
Mediators of the Development and Prevention of Violent Behavior
verfasst von
Robert J. Jagers
Antonio A. Morgan-Lopez
Terry-Lee Howard
Dorothy C. Browne
Brian R. Flay
Aban Aya Coinvestigators
Publikationsdatum
01.09.2007
Verlag
Springer US
Erschienen in
Prevention Science / Ausgabe 3/2007
Print ISSN: 1389-4986
Elektronische ISSN: 1573-6695
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-007-0067-4

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 3/2007

Prevention Science 3/2007 Zur Ausgabe