Effects of a Prosocial Skills Curriculum in an Afterschool Program

Authors

  • Patrick C. Herbert
  • Darson Rhodes
  • Elizabeth A. Whitney
  • Jelynn Tiberi-Ramos
  • Hailee Baer
  • Haley Bylina
  • Carol Cox

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47779/ajhs.2020.239

Keywords:

afterschool, prosocial, substance prevention

Abstract

School-based substance use prevention and prosocial skills-based interventions have demonstrated promise, however, there is less known about the cognitive and behavioral benefits of such programs conducted in afterschool settings. A four-lesson, early intervention program focused on prosocial behavior development and facilitated by community substance use prevention coalition members was delivered to early elementary-aged participants in an afterschool program. Participant prevention knowledge as measured by brief pre-post quiz improved significantly (p < 0.001), but their mentor-observed prosocial behaviors as measured by pre-post behavioral attribute scale did not. A brief afterschool early prevention intervention can change substance use knowledge among early elementary participants. Prosocial behavior change, though, still warrants future investigation in the afterschool setting.

Author Biographies

Patrick C. Herbert

Patrick C. Herbert, PhD, Towson University; 8000 York Road, Towson, MD 21252, Tel 410-704-4973

Darson Rhodes

Darson Rhodes, PhD,The College at Brockport - State University of New York

Elizabeth A. Whitney

Elizabeth A. Whitney, PhD,The University of Kentucky

Jelynn Tiberi-Ramos

Jelynn Tiberi-Ramos, Truman State University

Hailee Baer

Hailee Baer, Truman State University

Haley Bylina

Haley Bylina, Truman State University

Carol Cox

Carol Cox, PhD, Truman State University

Published

2020-12-31

How to Cite

Herbert, P. C., Rhodes, D., Whitney, E. A., Tiberi-Ramos, J., Baer, H., Bylina, H., & Cox, C. (2020). Effects of a Prosocial Skills Curriculum in an Afterschool Program. American Journal of Health Studies, 35(3). https://doi.org/10.47779/ajhs.2020.239