Intervention Programs for Childhood Behavior

Not currently recruiting at 1 trial location

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 27

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how well different school programs help 7th graders manage stress and enhance behavior and social skills. The programs being tested include Coping Power, a traditional support program, and Coping Power+, a new version, with or without a school-wide strategy called REACT (Renal Autologous Cell Therapy). Researchers aim to assess the impact of these programs on students' behavior, school atmosphere, and social-emotional skills. The trial seeks 7th graders at higher risk for stress-related challenges, identified through a specific school screening. As an unphased trial, this study offers students a unique opportunity to benefit from innovative support programs designed to improve their well-being.

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 these intervention programs are safe for 7th grade students?

Previous studies have shown that the Coping Power program improves behavior in children at risk for aggression and substance use. The program helps these children manage stress more effectively. Research indicates that children participating in Coping Power generally handle the program well, with no major safety concerns reported.

The adapted version, Coping Power+, builds on this foundation by enhancing program delivery. While specific safety data for Coping Power+ is not detailed, its similarity to the original suggests it should also be well-received.

Regarding the REACT intervention, no direct safety data is available for its use in schools. However, REACT is often implemented as a school-wide program to enhance the overall school environment, implying it is considered safe for such use.

Overall, both Coping Power programs and the REACT intervention are designed to be supportive and safe for students. Participants can generally expect a positive and well-tolerated experience. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these intervention programs for childhood behavior because they offer innovative approaches to managing behavioral issues in middle schoolers. Unlike traditional behavior management techniques, Coping Power+ introduces an adapted version of the Coping Power program specifically tailored for 7th graders, potentially making it more effective for this age group. Additionally, the REACT component offers school-wide training, aiming to create a supportive environment beyond individual interventions. This comprehensive strategy could lead to broader, more sustainable improvements in student behavior and school climate, setting it apart from more isolated, traditional methods.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for improving childhood behavior?

Research has shown that the Coping Power program reduces aggressive behavior in children and prevents substance use. It also enhances children's social interactions and school behavior by teaching them better stress management techniques. In this trial, some participants will receive the traditional Coping Power program, while others will receive the new Coping Power+ version, which adapts the program to suit different needs and environments.

Regarding the REACT intervention, limited specific data exists on its effectiveness in schools. Typically used in healthcare for kidney issues involving cell therapy, REACT will be adapted in this trial for school-wide training. This training focuses on creating a positive environment and improving the overall school atmosphere. Both Coping Power and REACT aim to help students manage stress and improve their behavior. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for 7th graders who are at high risk according to the NIDA screener, placing them in the top 25% for certain risks at their school. There are no specific exclusion criteria, so all students meeting this condition can participate.

Inclusion Criteria

7th grader

Screened on NIDA screener as in the highest 25 percentile on risk in target school

Exclusion Criteria

Not applicable.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

Spring of each project year

1 visit (in-person)

ReACT Teacher Training

ReACT educator training and monthly strategy sessions for school staff

1 year

1 full-day training, monthly 1-hour sessions

Coping Power Program

Coping Power groups for students and parents, including weekly student sessions and parenting sessions

1 school year

25 weekly student sessions, 12 parenting sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in school climate, student behavior, and disciplinary infractions

Immediately after intervention concludes

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Coping Power
• Coping Power+
• REACT

Trial Overview The study tests a two-part intervention aimed at reducing racism and discrimination in schools. It combines ReACT with Coping Power+ Program or standard Coping Power, assessing impacts on school climate, behavior, social skills, discipline issues, and identity among students.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: CP/REACT Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Traditional Coping Power for 7th graders and school wide REACT training

Group II: CP/No REACT Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Traditional Coping Power for 7th graders, no school wide REACT training

Group III: CP+/REACT Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

New, adapted Coping Power for 7th graders, school wide REACT training

Group IV: CP+/No REACT Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

New, adapted Coping Power for 7th graders intervention with no school wide REACT training

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

Lead Sponsor

Trials

49

Recruited

17,900+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The Teaching Kids to Cope (TKC) program is a 10-week psychoeducational intervention that has shown promising results in reducing depressive symptoms and enhancing coping skills among adolescents.

While initial findings are positive, further research with larger groups is necessary to fully assess the effectiveness of the TKC intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Teaching kids to cope: a preventive mental health nursing strategy for adolescents. Puskar, KR., Lamb, J., Tusaie-Mumford, K.[2019]

Citations

1. ies.ed.gov ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/Docs/InterventionReports/wwc_copingpower_102511.pdf

Coping Power - Institute of Education Sciences Coping Power was found to have positive effects on external behavior and potentially positive effects on social outcomes for children classified with an ...

2. copingpower.com copingpower.com/results_outcomes.html

Results, Benefits, & Outcomes Results indicate that the Coping Power Program is effective in reducing children's aggressive behavior and preventing their substance use.

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0005789403800321

Effectiveness of the coping power program and ... This study examines key substance use, delinquency, and school-based aggressive behavior outcomes at a 1-year follow-up for a cognitive-behavioral intervention.

4. blueprintsprograms.org blueprintsprograms.org/programs/194999999/coping-power/print/

Coping Power Effectiveness of the Coping Power program and of classroom intervention with aggressive children: Outcomes at one-year follow-up. Behavior Therapy, 34, 493-515.

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4516613/

Evidence-Based Preventive Intervention for Preadolescent ... Research trials have shown that randomization to the Coping Power intervention results in improvements, relative to control groups, through one-year follow-ups ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3690167/

Does a Booster Intervention Augment the Preventive Effects of ... The study found that the abbreviated Coping Power program had long-term effects, but the booster intervention did not augment these effects.

7. ies.ed.gov ies.ed.gov/use-work/awards/coping-power-rural-middle-schoolers-tiered-approach-increasing-behavioral-and-mental-health-supports

Coping Power for Rural Middle Schoolers: A Tiered Approach ... The project aims to adapt the EACP program for rural middle schoolers, addressing behavioral and mental health issues with a two-tiered approach.

8. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/11/3621

Mindful Coping Power Effects on Children's Autonomic ... Coping Power (CP) is a cognitive behavioral preventive intervention for children at risk for substance use and delinquency [1]. CP reduces aggressive and ...

9. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12310-024-09632-2

Coping Power-Rural: Iterative Adaptation of an Evidence ... This paper describes the process of adapting the evidence-based Coping Power program, a small group prevention program for youth with aggressive behavior ...

10. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/278420948_The_Coping_Power_program_at_the_middle-school_transition_Universal_and_indicated_prevention_effects

(PDF) The Coping Power program at the middle-school ... Children were identified as being at risk on the basis of 4th-grade teachers' ratings of children's aggressive and disruptive behaviors, and ...