Evaluation of Project Chrysalis: A school-based intervention to reduce negative consequences of abuse

Project Chrysalis was a school-based program that provided services to fema le adolescents with histories of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. Youn g women (14-17years of age) were enrolled and assigned randomly either to a program or to a control condition. It was found that participation in Proj ect Chrysalis was associated with outcomes such as healthier beliefs and at titudes about alcohol and other drug use and reduced initiation of tobacco and marijuana use. Participants also had fewer suicidal ideations and behav iors. It was shown that older participants (16 and 17 years of age) were le ss likely to attend Project Chrysalis activities than were younger particip ants and that the prevalence of depression and risk for suicide was higher among younger participants. That indicates that enrolling younger participa nts (11 through 14 years of age), before negative attitudes and behaviors h ave begun, might produce stronger positive effects.