Urban youth violence prevention: effectiveness of a scaled-up practice-to-research programme.

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of The Leadership Program's Violence Prevention Project (VPP) – a 12-session programme consisting of explicit curriculum-based classroom instruction designed for adolescents to promote a range of communication skills associated with violence prevention and alter classroom norms about aggression and violence. Design/methodology/approach – A multi-site, quasi-experimental effectiveness trial examined pre- and post-implementation surveys that assessed violence-related behaviours and attitudes from 3,264 6th-8th grade students in 24 urban public schools across four consecutive academic years (2005-2009). Findings – Multilevel modelling showed VPP buffered negative beliefs and behaviour in a wide range of violence-related outcomes including peer support and tolerance for aggression. VPP also promoted positive conflict resolution skills by reducing the use of verbally and physically aggressive resolution strategies over time in programme participants. Programme quality was maintained through a five point practitioner-created fidelity system amenable to real-world conditions. Originality/value – Findings indicate semester-long violence prevention programmes promoting communication skills are effective with urban early adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]