Disruptive kindergarten boys from inner-city low socioeconomic neighborhood schools were randomly allocated to a preventive intervention and control condition in this evaluation of a 2-year prevention program that included a home-based parent training component and a school-based social skills training component.
Program participants and nonparticipants were followed up to mid-adolescence. Results indicated that a significantly greater percentage of treated children remained in an age-appropriate regular classroom up to the end of elementary school, and they reported significantly fewer delinquent behaviors at yearly assessments from 10–25 years old, compared with controls. The preventive intervention apparently had a significant long-term impact on the social development of those who participated. Earlier and more intensive intervention may be necessary for some cases, and it is recommended that all program participants have booster sessions between 12 and 15 years of age. (publisher abstract modified)