The prevention programs reviewed in Chapter 6 have met rigorous scientific standards and have addressed many of the key distal and proximal correlates of aggressive and violent behavior in adolescence. A complete review of all meritorious prevention programs was well beyond the scope of this volume, specifically programs targeting children prior to age 5 and juvenile justice services. Yet identified programs clearly addressed individual, family, school, and community risk and protective factors.

Prevention Programs Addressing Key Risk and Protective Factors

Among the distal correlates of violence in adolescence addressed by secondary prevention programs were those directed at children who were highly aggressive and rejected by peers in elementary school. By early elementary school these children had begun on an escalatory path toward more serious outcomes. An ambitious, multi-year program, known as Fast Track, developed friendship building groups, skills training, and relationship enhancement interventions for parents and teachers, intensive academic enrichment services, and mentoring services for older elementary school children. Other secondary prevention programs have successfully addressed cognitive deficits and biases, children's antisocial and bullying behaviors prior to middle school by effectively altering individual, family, and school risk and protective factors.

Proximal risk and protective factors have been effectively modified for most, but not all key personality risk factors. All primary and secondary prevention programs reviewed had successfully increased anger management skills by children and adolescents and increased empathic mediation of aggressive behavior.