Description of Major Longitudinal Study

• Evaluated through Project Family at the Institute for Social and Behavioral Research at Iowa State University.
• Tested with 446 families who live in areas with a high percentage of economically-stressed families
• Participants were randomly assigned and comparisons were made between program participants and control families
• The study has followed the youth and their parents from 6^th through 12^th grade.

Results

• Youth attending the program had significantly lower rates of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use compared to control youth.
• The differences between program and control youth actually increased over time, indicating that skills learned and strong parent-child relationships continue to have greater and greater influence.
• Youth attending the program had significantly fewer conduct problems in school than youth in the control group.
• Parents showed gains in specific parenting skills including setting appropriate limits and building a positive relationship with their youth.
• Parents showed an increase in positive feelings towards their child.
• Parents show gains on general child management including setting rules and following through with consequences.
• Parents increase skills in General Child Management such as effectively monitoring youth and having appropriate and consistent discipline.

Additional SFP 10-14 Evaluation Studies
In addition to the study whose outcome is reported above (NIMH, 1992-XXXX), there are three other scientific studies:

• The first project (NIAAA, 1997-2000) studies African-American families in an urban area.
• The second project (NIDA 1997-2007) studies 691 youth and families in economically disadvantaged areas, comparing control youth and families to those who take part in either a school-based program only or a school-based program plus the SFP 10-14.
• The first study (NIMH 1998-2001) provides support to study the youth and families from NIMH 1992-1997 in their 12th grade year.

Studies funded by

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 1992-1997, 1998-2001
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 1997-2007
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) 1997-2000

Published articles on SFP 10-14 Outcome

See selected published articles...