PREVENTION OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIMIZATION - A METAANALYSIS OF SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Objective: The aim of this article was to provide data about the effec ts of child sexual abuse prevention programs. A more specific aim was to estimate the contribution of potential moderator variables such as age, program duration, or sample size to effect size. Method: A meta-a nalytic approach was used to calculate post-test and follow-up effect sizes of 16 evaluation studies' of school programs aimed at the preven tion of child sexual abuse victimization. Tests of categorical models were used in the analysis of moderator variables. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine their association with effect sizes. Re sults: Significant and considerable mean post-intervention (d = .71) a nd follow-up (d = .62) effect sizes were found, indicating that victim ization prevention programs are successful in teaching children sexual abuse concepts and self-protection skills. Intervention characteristi cs such as duration and content of the program, and child characterist ics such as age and SES were important moderators of effect size. Conc lusions: Our findings corroborate and refine the positive conclusions of traditional narrative reviews. Programs that focus on skill trainin g, allowing sufficient time for children to integrate self-protection skills into their cognitive repertoire, are to be preferred. Future ev aluation research should focus on transfer of training. (C) 1997 Elsev ier Science Ltd.