The EARLY ALLIANCE prevention trial: A dual design to test reduction of risk for conduct problems, substance abuse, and school failure in childhood

This paper describes a preventive intervention trial called EARLY ALLIANCE which is aimed at reducing risk for three adverse outcomes in childhood and adolescence: conduct problems, substance abuse, and school failure. The st ructure of the prevention trial is unique because two linked designs are be ing implemented concurrently. The primary design focuses on children at ele vated risk for adverse outcomes, and compares a targeted, multicontextual p reventive intervention with family, classroom, peer relational, and academi c components to a universal, schoolwide preventive intervention that emphas izes peaceful conflict management and serves as a "usual care" control cond ition. The secondary design focuses on children at lower risk for adverse o utcomes and compares a universally administered classroom program to the co ntrol condition. The paper describes the theoretical foundation for EARLY A LLIANCE, the goals of the prevention trial, the rationale for design choice s, and the methods employed. Control Clin Trials 2000;21:286-302 (C) Elsevi er Science Inc. 2000.