INTEGRATED APPROACHES TO PREVENTING ANTISOCIAL-BEHAVIOR PATTERNS AMONG SCHOOL-AGE-CHILDREN AND YOUTH

This article provides a reconceptualization of the role of schools in preventing antisocial behavior problems among children and youth. The U.S. Public Health Service's conceptual model of prevention, involving primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention approaches, is used as an organizing framework to illustrate how schools can deliver interventi ons more effectively and improve outcomes. Traditional school approach es to coping with students who are at risk and antisocial are reviewed , and the following major topics are addressed: (a) A case is made tha i schools can play a central, coordinating role in collaboration with families and social service agencies in addressing the challenging pro blems presented by antisocial students; (b) a generic intervention app roach is suggested that involves reducing risk factors for antisocial behavior and enhancing protective factors; (c) a three-level approach to organizing specific interventions for achieving prevention goals an d outcomes is described; and (d) recommended interventions or approach es are suggested for each prevention level (i.e., primary, secondary, tertiary). The article concludes with a discussion of some factors ass ociated with a revised mission for schools in this domain and how thes e factors may impair or enhance thr necessary changes required to achi eve this goal.