Adolescent Behavior, Coping Skills, Social Interaction, Violence in Adolescence
Conditions
Keywords
social networks, social support, violence prevention
Brief summary
This pilot community-partnered cluster-randomized trial will examine the feasibility and acceptability of a social network-based youth violence prevention program called Strengthening Connections for Change for youth ages 13-17 and their key adult supports.
Detailed description
This pilot community-partnered cluster-randomized trial will examine the feasibility and acceptability of a social network-based youth violence prevention program called Strengthening Connections for Change for youth ages 13-17 and their key adult supports. Set in four lower resource Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania neighborhoods, this study brings together youth ages 13-17 and their self-identified key adult supports to focus on leadership, strengthening intergenerational networks, community engagement, and violence prevention.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALStrengthening Connections for Change
Strengthening Connections for Change is a 12-session curriculum designed to strengthen adolescent-adult support networks, build leadership skills, foster community engagement, and challenge attitudes and behaviors that foster violence involvement. During the program, youth ages 13-17 years invite their self-identified key adult supports to jointly participate in programming including youth-focused, adult-focused and jointly focused activities. Towards the end of programming participants design and carry out a community project to strengthen intergenerational connections and promote community engagement.
BEHAVIORALJob Readiness Training
Job Readiness Training uses a group discussion format to learn specific skills to prepare for employment including developing goals, seeking jobs, preparing for interviews, and so forth.
Sponsors
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
University of Pittsburgh
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
This pilot community-partnered cluster-randomized trial will examine the feasibility and acceptability of a social network-based youth violence prevention program called Strengthening Connections for Change for youth ages 13-17 and their key adult supports. The study will be located in four lower resource Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania neighborhoods ('clusters') randomized to receive either the Strengthening Connections for Change program (i.e. intervention neighborhoods, n=2) or to a job skills training program (i.e. control neighborhoods, n=2).
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
13 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Youth: * Participants must be ages 13-17 (inclusive) * Participants must speak English Adults * Participants must be ages 18 or older * Participants must speak English
Exclusion criteria
Youth: * Not ages 13-17 (inclusive) * Do not speak English Adults * Less than 18 years of age * Do not speak English
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Participant Attendance | through intervention completion, 12 weeks | Attendance recorded at beginning and end of each session. Calculated as a proportion of total number of sessions attended (possible session attended #: 0-12 for youth participants and 0-9 for adult participants) using the following method (# youth at session 1 + # youth at session 2 + …)/(# of youth participants x12 sessions) and (# adults at session 1 + # adults at session 2 + …)/(# of adult participants x9 sessions). The possible proportion attended ranges from 0-1. |
| Participant Overall Satisfaction With Curriculum Content and Format Assessed by Researcher-generated Likert-scale Items | end of program (12 weeks) | At the end of the program, participants will be asked about how satisfied they were overall with the topics discussed and format of the program using 5-point Likert scale items. Means score will be calculated across the items (possible range: 1-5; higher score means higher satisfaction). This data was collected for the Strengthening Connections for change intervention groups only. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Participant Satisfaction With Weekly Session Content Assessed by Researcher-generated Likert-scale Items | end of program (12 weeks) | At the end of each of the 12 sessions, participants will be asked about how satisfied they were with the topics discussed for that session using 5-point Likert scale items. A mean score will be calculated by taking the average of the responses on session forms completed by each youth across all time points (i.e., Session 1 Mean Score + Session 2 Mean Score + Session 3 Mean score +.../ 12 sessions) (possible range: 1-5; higher score means higher satisfaction). This data was collected for the Strengthening Connections for change intervention groups only. |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Attitudes Towards Violence | Baseline, end of program (12 weeks) | Modified from the Children's Perception of Environmental Violence Scale, 6 items assessed on 5-point Likert scale, calculated as a mean score (possible range 1-5; lower score indicates better outcome). |
| Change in Social Network Composition | Baseline, end of program (12 weeks) | Participants will complete an abbreviated social network survey that asks them to identify key sources of emotional and instrumental support, and to characterize the nature of these relationships (network size, network density, mean link strength). |
| Change in Future Orientation | Baseline, end of program (12 weeks) | Modified from the California Healthy Kids Survey, 7 items assessed on 5-point Likert scale, calculated as a mean score (possible range 1-5; higher score indicates better outcome). |
| Change in Coping | Baseline, end of program (12 weeks) | Modified from the Healthy Pathways Child-Report Scales: Active Coping Scale, 7 items assessed on 5-point Likert scale, calculated as a mean score (possible range 1-5; higher score indicates better outcome). |
| Change in Violence Perpetration | Baseline, end of program (12 weeks) | Summary score of past 30-day youth violence perpetration adapted from the Aggressive Behavior--SAGE Baseline survey (9 items, each measured on a 5-point frequency scale from 0 times to 7 or more times). Violence perpetration items will be added to create a summary violence perpetration score with 1 point for each response of at least 1 time (possible range: 0-9; lower score indicates better outcome). |
| Change in Violence Victimization | Baseline, end of program (12 weeks) | Summary score of past 30-day youth violence victimization adapted from the Victimization--Problem Behavior Frequency Scale (9 items, each measured on a 5-point frequency scale from 0 times to 7 or more times). Violence victimization items will be added to create a summary violence victimization score with 1 point for each response of at least 1 time (possible range: 0-9; lower score indicates better outcome). |
Countries
United States
Participant flow
Recruitment details
We partnered with youth-serving agencies to assist with recruitment through community settings. During program session #1, youth in the intervention group were asked to identify a key adult support in family, school, or community to participate in the program. The study team reached out to the adult to facilitate enrollment. Of the 34 youth, 11 identified an adult who consented to enroll in the study.
Participants by arm
| Arm | Count |
|---|---|
| Strengthening Connections for Change--Youth Strengthening Connections for Change uses a group discussion format with activities that explore identity, adolescent-adult relationships, social networks, and community engagement. Youth invite their self-identified key adult supports to jointly participate in programming and curriculum includes youth-focused, adult-focused and jointly focused activities designed to build leadership skills, enhance intergenerational networks, challenge attitudes towards violence and retaliation, and reduce violence involvement. Through 12 sessions (2 hours/session) delivered weekly, Strengthening Connections offers leadership development coupled with strengths-based youth violence prevention programming.
Strengthening Connections for Change: Strengthening Connections for Change is a 12-session curriculum designed to strengthen adolescent-adult support networks, build leadership skills, foster community engagement, and challenge attitudes and behaviors that foster violence involvement. During the program, youth ages 13-17 years invite their self-identified key adult supports to jointly participate in programming including youth-focused, adult-focused and jointly focused activities. Towards the end of programming participants design and carry out a community project to strengthen intergenerational connections and promote community engagement. | 34 |
| Strengthening Connections for Change--Adults During the Strengthening Connections for Change program, youth invite their self-identified key adult supports to jointly participate in programming including youth-focused, adult-focused and jointly focused activities. | 11 |
| Job Readiness Training--Youth Job Readiness Training uses a group discussion format to learn specific skills to prepare for employment including developing goals, seeking jobs, preparing for interviews, and so forth. Participants receive a 12 session job readiness training with linkages to businesses and employment opportunities. Discussions include a wide range of topics related to career exploration and job readiness.
Job Readiness Training: Job Readiness Training uses a group discussion format to learn specific skills to prepare for employment including developing goals, seeking jobs, preparing for interviews, and so forth. | 29 |
| Total | 74 |
Withdrawals & dropouts
| Period | Reason | FG000 | FG001 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Study | Lost to Follow-up | 13 | 3 |
Baseline characteristics
| Characteristic | Strengthening Connections for Change--Youth | Strengthening Connections for Change--Adults | Job Readiness Training--Youth | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age, Continuous | 14.8 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.4 | 47.6 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.7 | 14.3 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.4 | 14.6 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.4 |
| Ethnicity (NIH/OMB) Hispanic or Latino | 4 Participants | 2 Participants | 2 Participants | 8 Participants |
| Ethnicity (NIH/OMB) Not Hispanic or Latino | 28 Participants | 9 Participants | 27 Participants | 64 Participants |
| Ethnicity (NIH/OMB) Unknown or Not Reported | 2 Participants | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 2 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) American Indian or Alaska Native | 1 Participants | 0 Participants | 1 Participants | 2 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) Asian | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 0 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) Black or African American | 25 Participants | 8 Participants | 17 Participants | 50 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) More than one race | 2 Participants | 1 Participants | 10 Participants | 13 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 0 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) Unknown or Not Reported | 5 Participants | 2 Participants | 1 Participants | 8 Participants |
| Race (NIH/OMB) White | 1 Participants | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 1 Participants |
| Region of Enrollment United States | 34 Participants | 11 Participants | 29 Participants | 74 Participants |
| Sex/Gender, Customized Female | 6 Participants | 5 Participants | 16 Participants | 27 Participants |
| Sex/Gender, Customized Male | 26 Participants | 5 Participants | 12 Participants | 43 Participants |
| Sex/Gender, Customized Non-binary or gender fluid | 0 Participants | 0 Participants | 1 Participants | 1 Participants |
| Sex/Gender, Customized Not Reported | 2 Participants | 1 Participants | 0 Participants | 3 Participants |
Adverse events
| Event type | EG000 affected / at risk | EG001 affected / at risk | EG002 affected / at risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| deaths Total, all-cause mortality | 0 / 34 | 0 / 11 | 0 / 29 |
| other Total, other adverse events | 0 / 34 | 0 / 11 | 0 / 29 |
| serious Total, serious adverse events | 0 / 34 | 0 / 11 | 0 / 29 |
Outcome results
Primary
Participant Attendance
Attendance recorded at beginning and end of each session. Calculated as a proportion of total number of sessions attended (possible session attended #: 0-12 for youth participants and 0-9 for adult participants) using the following method (# youth at session 1 + # youth at session 2 + …)/(# of youth participants x12 sessions) and (# adults at session 1 + # adults at session 2 + …)/(# of adult participants x9 sessions). The possible proportion attended ranges from 0-1.
Time frame: through intervention completion, 12 weeks
| Arm | Measure | Value (NUMBER) |
|---|---|---|
| Strengthening Connections for Change--YOUTH | Participant Attendance | 0.62 proportion of sessions attended |
| Strengthening Connections for Change--ADULTS | Participant Attendance | 0.49 proportion of sessions attended |
| Job Readiness Training--YOUTH | Participant Attendance | 0.71 proportion of sessions attended |
Primary
Participant Overall Satisfaction With Curriculum Content and Format Assessed by Researcher-generated Likert-scale Items
At the end of the program, participants will be asked about how satisfied they were overall with the topics discussed and format of the program using 5-point Likert scale items. Means score will be calculated across the items (possible range: 1-5; higher score means higher satisfaction). This data was collected for the Strengthening Connections for change intervention groups only.
Time frame: end of program (12 weeks)
| Arm | Measure | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strengthening Connections for Change--YOUTH | Participant Overall Satisfaction With Curriculum Content and Format Assessed by Researcher-generated Likert-scale Items | 3.47 score on a scale | Standard Deviation 1 |
| Strengthening Connections for Change--ADULTS | Participant Overall Satisfaction With Curriculum Content and Format Assessed by Researcher-generated Likert-scale Items | 4.07 score on a scale | Standard Deviation 0.7 |
Secondary
Participant Satisfaction With Weekly Session Content Assessed by Researcher-generated Likert-scale Items
At the end of each of the 12 sessions, participants will be asked about how satisfied they were with the topics discussed for that session using 5-point Likert scale items. A mean score will be calculated by taking the average of the responses on session forms completed by each youth across all time points (i.e., Session 1 Mean Score + Session 2 Mean Score + Session 3 Mean score +.../ 12 sessions) (possible range: 1-5; higher score means higher satisfaction). This data was collected for the Strengthening Connections for change intervention groups only.
Time frame: end of program (12 weeks)
| Arm | Measure | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strengthening Connections for Change--YOUTH | Participant Satisfaction With Weekly Session Content Assessed by Researcher-generated Likert-scale Items | 3.57 score on a scale | Standard Deviation 0.96 |
| Strengthening Connections for Change--ADULTS | Participant Satisfaction With Weekly Session Content Assessed by Researcher-generated Likert-scale Items | 4.32 score on a scale | Standard Deviation 0.81 |
Other Pre-specified
Change in Attitudes Towards Violence
Modified from the Children's Perception of Environmental Violence Scale, 6 items assessed on 5-point Likert scale, calculated as a mean score (possible range 1-5; lower score indicates better outcome).
Time frame: Baseline, end of program (12 weeks)
Other Pre-specified
Change in Coping
Modified from the Healthy Pathways Child-Report Scales: Active Coping Scale, 7 items assessed on 5-point Likert scale, calculated as a mean score (possible range 1-5; higher score indicates better outcome).
Time frame: Baseline, end of program (12 weeks)
Other Pre-specified
Change in Future Orientation
Modified from the California Healthy Kids Survey, 7 items assessed on 5-point Likert scale, calculated as a mean score (possible range 1-5; higher score indicates better outcome).
Time frame: Baseline, end of program (12 weeks)
Other Pre-specified
Change in Social Network Composition
Participants will complete an abbreviated social network survey that asks them to identify key sources of emotional and instrumental support, and to characterize the nature of these relationships (network size, network density, mean link strength).
Time frame: Baseline, end of program (12 weeks)
Other Pre-specified
Change in Violence Perpetration
Summary score of past 30-day youth violence perpetration adapted from the Aggressive Behavior--SAGE Baseline survey (9 items, each measured on a 5-point frequency scale from 0 times to 7 or more times). Violence perpetration items will be added to create a summary violence perpetration score with 1 point for each response of at least 1 time (possible range: 0-9; lower score indicates better outcome).
Time frame: Baseline, end of program (12 weeks)
Other Pre-specified
Change in Violence Victimization
Summary score of past 30-day youth violence victimization adapted from the Victimization--Problem Behavior Frequency Scale (9 items, each measured on a 5-point frequency scale from 0 times to 7 or more times). Violence victimization items will be added to create a summary violence victimization score with 1 point for each response of at least 1 time (possible range: 0-9; lower score indicates better outcome).
Time frame: Baseline, end of program (12 weeks)