Advances and challenges in preventing childhood and adolescent problem behavior

Abstract

Significant advances in the practice and science of prevention have been realized in the past 40 years. Practitioners and researchers have embraced principles of risk and protection to guide prevention program design and implementation. Results from efficacy trials indicate that a number of programs have produced positive effects in reducing the onset of childhood and adolescent problem behaviors. Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that efficacious prevention programs are cost-effective (Aos, Lieb, Mayfield, Miller, & Pennucci, 2004). Numerous challenges in preventing child and adolescent problems remain. Fidelity is often an elusive goal in the face of competing school and community demands that detract from careful program implementation. In addition, a reliable method for the cultural adaptation of program content has yet to be established, and the task of bringing effective programs to scale in community settings may represent the most difficult issue in the history of prevention. Clearly, social work research and the practice community should endorse prevention as a key component in reducing childhood and adolescent problems and participate fully in solving the complex issues identified by authors in this issue. © 2006 National Association of Social Workers.