Peaceful Coexistence Curriculum for Antiextremism

Overseen By Melissa Beck

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Greensboro

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to refine and assess school programs designed to promote peaceful coexistence and reduce extremism among students in Bahrain. Researchers will employ an innovative approach to optimize the Peaceful Coexistence curriculum for middle schoolers and the Anti-Extremism curriculum for high schoolers. The trial will also evaluate the effectiveness of these programs, along with D.A.R.E.'s high school initiatives, in combating intolerance and extremism. It is open to Bahraini middle or high school students, their parents, and D.A.R.E. Officers teaching in these schools.

As an unphased trial, this study offers participants a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of impactful educational programs.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What prior data suggests that this curriculum is safe for students?

Research has shown that the Peaceful Coexistence curriculum aims to reduce extremism and encourage tolerance. As an educational program rather than a medical treatment, it lacks specific safety data typical of medical trials. Therefore, there are no usual safety concerns such as side effects. Instead, the focus is on the program's effectiveness in achieving its goals without causing harm, such as psychological stress or social division. In studies of this nature, safety involves ensuring the content is suitable and supportive for all students involved. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Peaceful Coexistence Curriculum because it offers a fresh approach to combating extremism in schools. Unlike traditional methods that might focus on punitive measures or basic awareness programs, this curriculum is specifically designed to foster understanding and coexistence through tailored lessons for middle and high school students. By directly engaging students with age-appropriate content, this program aims to build a more tolerant and inclusive environment, potentially preventing extremist beliefs from taking root.

What evidence suggests that the Peaceful Coexistence curriculum is effective for combating extremism?

Research shows that school programs for all students can help reduce violence among children and teenagers. Studies have found that these programs can lower violence rates and improve students' conflict resolution skills. For instance, a violence prevention program based on Social Cognitive Theory (where learning occurs in a social setting) successfully reduced signs of violence among sixth graders. Evaluations also show that students feel better about their school environment and enhance their social and emotional skills. This trial will test the Peaceful Coexistence Curriculum, which could promote tolerance and reduce extremism in schools. Classrooms in the intervention group will receive this curriculum, while those in the no-intervention group will receive general information during their sessions. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Bahraini middle or high school students, their parents, and D.A.R.E. officers teaching in Bahrain. It aims to optimize curricula promoting tolerance and combating extremism.

Inclusion Criteria

Public or private Bahraini middle or high school students.

In addition to the main evaluation questions, the following groups will also be included to make programmatic improvements.

Parents of above mentioned middle or high school students.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Classrooms receive the Peaceful Coexistence or Anti-extremism curricula

Duration not specified

Sessions conducted in classrooms

Evaluation

Evaluation of D.A.R.E. keepin' it REAL and D.A.R.E. myPlaybook programs

Immediately post intervention

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in attitudes and skills related to extremism and tolerance

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Peaceful Coexistence

Trial Overview

The study tests the 'Peaceful Coexistence' curriculum using an advanced method called MOST to enhance anti-extremism education. The goal is to refine these programs for broader use in Bahrain and potentially other countries.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Classrooms assigned to the intervention group will receive the Peaceful Coexistence (middle school) or Anti-extremism (high school) curricula.

Group II: No intervention Active Control 1 Intervention

Classrooms assigned to the No intervention group will receive general information during their sessions.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of North Carolina, Greensboro

Lead Sponsor

Trials

33

Recruited

16,700+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Psychoeducation has been effectively used for over 20 years to support families of patients with psychiatric illnesses, and adapting this approach for patients themselves has shown positive effects on their functioning and attitudes.

The psychoeducation model aims to enhance patients' understanding of their psychiatric conditions and treatments, encourage group discussions for better integration of knowledge, and teach management skills to help them cope with their illnesses.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patient psychoeducation: the therapeutic use of knowledge for the mentally ill. Hayes, R., Gantt, A.[2015]

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11292147/

Formative and Pilot Research

The aim of this study is to report the results of the preparation phase of the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST) to develop a peaceful coexistence ...

2.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0749379707002371

Effectiveness of Universal School-Based Programs to ...

There is strong evidence that universal, school-based programs decrease rates of violence among school-aged children and youth.

3.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8863082/

Comparison of two violence prevention curricula for middle ...

Both curricula were successful in reducing three indicators of violence. However, the conflict resolution approach was more successful in reducing the ...

4.

jahonline.org

jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X(00)00194-4/pdf

Evaluation of a Peaceful Conflict Resolution and Violence ...

Purpose: To evaluate a Social Cognitive Theory–based violence prevention curriculum among sixth-grade stu- dents. Methods: The evaluation was conducted ...

5.

mdpi.com

mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/24/17013

Effectiveness of the FHaCE Up! Program on School ...

The results showed a significant improvement in school violence and school climate perception, as well as communication and socio-emotional skills, in the ...

6.

cartercenter.org

cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/peace/conflict_resolution/countering-isis/inclusive-approaches-to-preventing-violent-extremism.pdf

inclusive-approaches-to-preventing-violent-extremism. ...

Secondly, if Muslim communities are to be engaged as equal partners in the prevention of political violence, they need to be the authors of policy, not its ...

7.

usip.org

usip.org/sites/default/files/files/Women-Preventing-Violent-Extremism-Charting-New-Course.pdf

Charting Course New

What most definitions have in common is that terrorist and violent extremist acts are criminal acts and involve the unlawful use of violence against civilians ...

8.

undp.org

undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/publications/Discussion%20Paper%20-%20Preventing%20Violent%20Extremism%20by%20Promoting%20Inclusive%20%20Development.pdf

PREVENTING VIOLENT EXTREMISM

Whether based on religious, ethnic or political grounds, extremist ideologies glorify the supremacy of a particular group, and oppose a more tolerant and ...

9.

dhs.gov

dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OPSR_TP_CVE-Formative-Evaluation-Greater-Boston-CVE-Pilot-Program-Report_161121-508.pdf

Evaluation of the Greater Boston Countering Violent ...

the “Three Cities” Counter Violent Extremism (CVE) Initiatives.” The main goal of this funding opportunity has been to bring together ...