Two studies of proximal outcomes and implementation quality of universal preventive interventions in a community-university collaboration context

Abstract

Here we present the results from two longitudinal studies of competency-training interventions that entailed community-university collaboration intended to enhance implementation quality. In Study 1, 22 rural schools were randomly assigned to a family-focused intervention or a minimal contact control group. In Study 2, 36 rural schools were randomly assigned to a family-focused preventive intervention combined with a school-based intervention, the school-based intervention alone, or a minimal contact control group. In both studies, observers rated adherence to intervention protocols. Results showed that, on average, high levels of observer-rated adherence were attained in both studies. Analyses of the relationship between observer-rated adherence scores and proximal outcomes showed limited evidence of poorer outcomes associated with lower-adherence groups. Overall, findings highlight the benefits of community-university collaboration intended to facilitate high levels of intervention adherence. The need for a framework guiding a collaborative implementation research agenda is discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.