Community Intervention for Adolescent Violence

(SOAR Trial)

Overseen By Phillip N Smith, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of South Alabama

Disqualifiers: Unable to give assent, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

1672 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Interpersonal or community violence is a long-standing health disparity that disproportionately affects African American youth, and suicide is disproportionately increasing among African American youth. This project evaluates the impact of a multisystemic prevention program designed to reduce health disparities in violence by promoting equity in African American youths' experiences in education systems. This intervention has the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality among African American youth, promote overall quality of life, and reduce the societal costs associated with both interpersonal violence and suicidality.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Integrated Community-Level Intervention for reducing adolescent violence?

Research shows that community-based interventions, like the Aban Aya Youth Project, can help reduce violent behaviors in adolescents by involving schools, families, and communities. Additionally, peer-based programs for youth with violent injuries have been effective in reducing future involvement in violence and the criminal justice system. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the Integrated Community-Level Intervention treatment differ from other treatments for adolescent violence?

The Integrated Community-Level Intervention is unique because it focuses on engaging the entire community, including prevention practitioners and residents, to address adolescent violence. Unlike individual psychological interventions, this approach involves collaboration among various community services like law enforcement, schools, and social services to create a comprehensive support system. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for African American youth attending participating schools, school personnel employed at these schools, and police from participating precincts. Participants must understand English and be able to give assent or consent.

Inclusion Criteria

Able to understand spoken or written English

School personnel currently employed at a participating school

I am able to understand and agree to participate.

Exclusion Criteria

I am unable to understand or agree to the study on my own.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Implementation of the Strengthening Opportunities for Achievement and Resilience (SOAR) program, including Culturally-Responsive Schoolwide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports and Culturally Responsive Practices

12 months

Ongoing school-based activities

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in violence-related behaviors, perceptions of police, and other outcomes through surveys and archival data

5 years

Data collection every three months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Integrated Community-Level Intervention

Trial Overview The study tests a multisystemic prevention program aimed at reducing violence and suicide among African American youth by promoting equity in education and law enforcement systems.

Participant Groups

Group I: Strengthening Opportunities for Achievement and Resilience Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Strengthening Opportunities for Achievement and Resilience (SOAR) is an intervention condition consisting of both Culturally-Responsive Schoolwide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (C-SWPBS) and Culturally Responsive Practices (CRP). It is a year-long, school-level intervention.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of South Alabama

Lead Sponsor

Trials

44

Recruited

15,800+

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)

Collaborator

Trials

473

Recruited

1,374,000+

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Collaborator

Trials

2,896

Recruited

8,053,000+

Findings from Research

The Aban Aya Youth Project's social development classroom curriculum (SDC) effectively limited the growth of violent behaviors among students, regardless of their age, compared to a control group.

The school/family/community (SC) intervention only reduced violence growth in older participants, indicating that interventions may need to engage multiple social systems, especially for highly mobile youth who may not receive consistent exposure to the program.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The impact of age and type of intervention on youth violent behaviors. Jagers, RJ., Morgan-Lopez, AA., Flay, BR.[2021]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

African American children and adolescents exposure to community violence: a pilot study. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multidisciplinary partnership: Targeting aggression and mental health problems of adolescents in detention. [2020]

3. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The impact of age and type of intervention on youth violent behaviors. [2021]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Caught in the Crossfire: the effects of a peer-based intervention program for violently injured youth. [2022]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Childhood abuse and community violence: Risk factors for youth violence. [2020]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assault Injury and Community Violence. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Community interventions and effective prevention. [2019]

8. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Community Engagement in Youth Violence Prevention: Crafting Methods to Context. [2019]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Community responses to violence. [2004]