This response aims to critically evaluate the methodology and aims of the meta-analytic review written by Maggin and Johnson (2014). The present authors systematically provide responses for each of the original criticisms and highlight concerns regarding Maggin and Johnson's methodology, while objectively describing the current state of evidence…

Rape prevention programmers and researchers have long struggled to select the most appropriate theoretical models to frame their work. Questions abound regarding appropriate standards of evidence for success of program interventions. The present article provides an alternative point of view to the one put forward by seven staff members from the…

Foubert, Godin, and Tatum describe qualitative effects among college men of The Men's Program, a one-session sexual violence prevention program. This article and the program it describes are representative of many sexual violence prevention programs that are in practice and provide an opportunity for a brief discussion of the development and…

Comments on two recent articles in "Family Relations" on the effectiveness of abstinence-only pregnancy prevention programs. Focuses on several methodological and analytical aspects of the articles and challenges authors' conclusion based primarily on their evaluation of one project, that abstinence-based prevention programs do not work. (NB)

Responds to study (Shaffer et al., 1990) on adolescent suicide attempters and suicide prevention programs. Challenges study results, arguing against implications that effectiveness of all educational suicide intervention efforts are doomed and that suicide is function of mental illness rather than stresses and losses of life. Argues that death…

This response to a previous article suggesting that programs to prevent mental retardation have failed makes a distinction between prevention knowledge and prevention application and between biological and functional mental retardation. It claims that the knowledge to prevent functional mental retardation exists but has not been implemented. A…

Evidence-based substance use prevention programs have proliferated in schools and are being adopted by districts in rural settings and internationally. Little attention, however, has been paid to the adaptation process that occurs when these programs are moved to different contexts. In this commentary, the authors draw upon their experience with…

Based on social skills and operant behavioral perspectives, an Environment and Skills Model of smoking acquisition and prevention is proposed. This model involves an integrated examination of the antecedents, behaviors, and consequences of smoking. The importance of the "consequence end" of this three-term contingency is discussed. (Author/CT)

Compares community substance abuse programs that have worked with some that have not by applying principles from complex systems theory and ideas from learning communities. (JOW)

The pros and cons of sexuality education are discussed in this report from Planned Parenthood. Research on the effectiveness of sexuality education has focused primarily on college students, having little relevance for teenage sexuality education. The Kirby report, two studies of the effects of sexuality education on teenagers' attitudes,…

Examines definitions related to prevention and intervention for children to inform development of ideas in health, education, and social services contexts. Summarizes principles of effective prevention/early intervention. Presents examples of good practice, focusing on the High Scope model and a contemporary program in England that allows health,…

Provides review of substance abuse prevention programing over the past 20 years. Describes an empirically promising approach based on teaching assertiveness and decision-making skills and cites the results of a longitudinal evaluation of the assertiveness training component. Concludes with a description of the authors' current program in the…

The epidemiology of adolescent suicide is summarized with particular emphasis on temporal trends by age and gender. "First-generation" prevention programs are examined, followed by a description of selective, targeted, "second generation" prevention efforts, which are focused toward targets of individual predisposition, the…

This article is a response to a number of articles that use a culturally relevant prevention (CRP) approach for ethnic and racial minorities. The reaction is from a research practitioner's viewpoint. The authors argue in favor of determining an operational definition of cultural relevance by implementing prevention services with fidelity in the…

Zins and his colleagues pointed out that understanding implementation of school-based prevention programs is a critical issue as we get more sophisticated about strategies to promote children's social and emotional skill development. This commentary discusses school-based program implementation, challenges, lessons learned, and future directions…