Naslov
Dissemination of PATHS in Croatia: A research and implementation model

Autori
Bašić Josipa ; Greenberg, Mark ; Domitrovich, Celene ; Mihić, Josipa ; Novak, Miranda ; Grozić Živolić, Sonja ; Roviš, Darko

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, ostalo

Skup
Society for Prevention Research, 19th Annual Meeting

Mjesto i datum
Sjedinjene Američke Države, 31.05.2011. - 03.06.2011

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
PATHS program; prevention in schools; universal prevention; socio-emotional learning

Sažetak
The primary aim of the Croatian PATHS project is to implement science-based and effective prevention program known worldwide into Croatian conditions. By implementing the Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) curriculum, universal intervention that is delivered by classroom teachers, we intend to promote social-emotional competence and reduce the risk of behavioral and mental health disorders in Croatian children. PATHS curriculum significantly increases child skills for emotion recognition and non-aggressive social problem-solving. Teachers report effects on child self-control, emotional understanding and reductions in behavior problems. Student self-reports revealed lower levels of depressive symptoms. In order to generate evidence of curriculum effectiveness the project will be implemented as an effectiveness trial, using quasi-experimental design with intervention and control group of schools. For the purpose of this poster we will describe the research and implementation model. Presented study will evaluate the short-term outcomes of the PATHS intervention in three different regions of Croatia. Each region has 5 intervention schools s and 5 control schools which will in total result with over 500 students in 30 intervention and 30 control classes. Pairs of participating schools were matched on key demographic variables and then randomized to intervention or control conditions. Randomization by schools will ensure that intervention and control classrooms remain independent. The intervention will be delivered by classroom teachers ; hence the classroom will be the unit of measurement for program fidelity and teaching practices. Multi-informant and multi-method measurement strategy will be employed for evaluation. A sample of 5 students will be selected for interview and 10 children will be assessed by teacher rating in each classroom. As there is no universal, social-emotional curriculum such as PATHS currently being implemented in Croatian schools or kindergartens, a successful implementation of curriculum and strong evidence of its effectiveness to reduce mental health problems and improve classroom functioning for Croatian students could lead into its integration in regular academic curriculum. Further on, successful collaboration between science and practice on this project could serve as model for how to disseminate other evidence-based preventive interventions in Croatia schools and communities.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Pedagogija

POVEZANOST RADA