This article describes two interventions for adolescents based on a multisystemic problem-solving approach. One intervention is a school reentry program for chronically ill adolescents, while the other is a violence prevention program for at-risk youth. Commonalties across the two programs include individualized interventions; an educationally oriented, skills based approach; systems consultation; peers as important change agents; and inclusion of parents, teachers, and community agents. The article discusses the importance of a multisystemic, problem solving approach to interventions. Next, the two individual prevention programs are described. Finally, implications for practice are reviewed for each of the programs.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AckermanN. (1958). The psychodynamics of family life∸New York: Basic Books.
2.
BowenM. (1976). Theory in the practice of psychotherapy. In GuerinP.J. (Ed.), Family therapy: Theory and practice. New York: Gardner.
3.
BronfenbrennerU. (1979). The ecology of human development∸Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
4.
ChekrynJ., DeeganM., & ReidJ. (1987). Impact on teachers when a child with cancer returns to school. Children's Health Care, 15,161–165.
5.
DavisK. (1989). Educational needs of the terminally ill student. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing, 12,235–245.
6.
Department of Education (1998). Early warning timely response: A guide to safe schools.
7.
HengglerS.W. & BorduinC.M. (1990). Family therapy and beyond: A multisystemic approach to treating the behavior problems of children and adolescents. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
8.
HenningJ., & FritzG.K. (1983). School reentry in childhood cancer. Psychosomatics, 24, 261–269.
9.
Institute of Medicine (1989). Research on children and adolescents with mental, behavioural, and developmental disorders. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
10.
JohnsonJ.H., RasburyW.C., & SiegelL.J. (1997). Approaches to child treatment: Introduction to theory, research, and practice. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
11.
KazdinA.E. (1977). A model for developing effective treatments: Progression and interplay of theory, research, and practice. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 26,144–129.
12.
KriesP. (1996). The Adams Middle School Program∸Tallahassee, FL., Florida Department of Education.
13.
MinuchinS. (1974). Families and family therapy∸Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
14.
OrrD., WellerS., SatterwhiteB., & PlessI. B. (1984). Psychological implications of chronic illness in adolescents. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 7, 75–85.
15.
PanellaD.H., CooperP.R, & HenggelerS.W. (1982). Peer relations in adolescence. In HennggelerS.W. (Ed), Delinquency and adolescent psycho-pathology: A family-ecological systems approach. Littleton, MA: Wright-PSG.
16.
PateT., RollinS.A., KreisP. (1997). The Florida School Violence Prevention Project. Washington, D.C.: Mamilton Fish Institute.
17.
PrevattF.F., HefferR., & LoweP. (1998). A review of school reintegration programs for children with cancer∸ Manuscript submitted for publication.
18.
ReynoldsC.R., & KamphausR.W. (1992). Behavior Assessment System for Children. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.
19.
SchwartzW. (1997). An overview of strategies to reduce school violence. ERIC Clearinghouse on Urban Education.
20.
SexsonS. B., & Madan-SwainA. (1993). School reentry for the child with chronic illness. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 26, 115–125.
21.
TillyW.D., & FlugumK.R., (1995). Best practices in ensuring quality interventions. In ThomasA. & GrimesJ. (Eds.), Best Practices in school psychology, III, (485-500). Washington D.C.: The National Association of School Psychologists.
22.
VarniJ.W., KatzE.R., ColegroveR., & DolginM. (1994). Perceived social support and adjustment of children newly diagnosed with cancer. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 15,20–26.
23.
WatzlawickP., BeavinJ.H., & JacksonD.D. (1967). Pragmatics of human communication: A study of interaction patterns, pathologies, and paradoxes. New York: Norton.
24.
Worchel-PrevattF., HefferR.W., PrevattB.C., MinerJ., Young-SalemeT., HorganD., LopezM.A., RaeW.A., & FrankelL. (1998). A school reentry program for chronically ill children. Journal of School Psychology, 36, 261–279.
