PPN Newsletter March 2011
Listed below are recent updates to the Promising Practices Network on Children, Families and Communities website (http://www.promisingpractices.net).
WHAT'S NEW
Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is effective in reducing juvenile delinquency and substance use
Two recent studies add to the existing research supporting the effectiveness of Multisystemic Therapy (MST) at reducing juvenile delinquency and substance use. One new study examined the effectiveness of MST in a community setting. Researchers found that youth treated with MST showed substantial improvement in functioning across social domains and had reduced rates of re-arrest 18 months after treatment. Another follow-up study provides evidence that MST had lasting effects in youth. Findings suggest that youth who participated in MST engaged in less criminal activity four years after ending treatment and were less likely to abuse illegal substances.
Read the new Multisystemic Therapy program summarySee more PPN programs related to this topic
New study examines racial bias in reporting of child protection cases
A recent study published in Pediatrics examines the disproportionate reporting of child abuse and neglect cases involving African American children. Some have posited that this disproportionality is due to racial bias in professionals who are mandated to report suspicions of child abuse and neglect. To investigate whether there is evidence for this type of bias, authors compared rates of reported child victimization cases with rates of other related public health outcomes that are not subject to reporting bias, such as infant mortality rates. Authors found that African American infant mortality rates were subject to the same degree of disproportionality as reported child maltreatment rates, suggesting that the disproportionate rate of African American children's involvement in the child welfare system may be attributable to other risk factors and not necessarily to racial bias among mandated reporters.
Read the journal abstract at the Pediatrics websiteMore research on child abuse and neglect
Video games designed to promote behavior change increase fruit and vegetable consumption
A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine (AJPM) examined the effects of playing two video games on the healthy eating behaviors and physical activity of children. The two video games, "Escape from Diab" and "Nanoswarm: Invasion from Inner Space," were designed as "epic video adventures" based upon surveys and focus groups examining child gaming preferences, with the goal of increasing fruit, vegetable, and water intake among middle school-aged children. The study compared the effects of playing the two video games to a control group playing less interactive Internet-based games about diet and physical activity. Results showed that video game play increased fruit and vegetable consumption relative to the control group, but had no effects on water drinking, physical activity, or body composition at 2-month follow-up.
Read the journal abstract at the AJPM websiteMore research on childhood nutrition and physical activity
RESEARCH IN BRIEF
Listed below are research summaries that have been added to the PPN site this month.
See all in this area » Healthy and Safe Children
The Effect of an Early Education Program on Adult Health: The Carolina Abecedarian Project Randomized Controlled Trial
— Mar. 2011
Journal abstract at American Journal of Public Health website
Executive and Memory Function in Adolescents Born Very Preterm
— Mar. 2011
Injuries Associated with Cribs, Playpens, and Bassinets Among Young Children in the U.S., 1990-2008
— Mar. 2011
Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Triplets or Higher-Order Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants
— Mar. 2011
Patterns of Comorbidity, Functioning, and Service Use for U.S. Children with ADHD, 2007
— Mar. 2011
Racial Bias in Child Protection? A Comparison of Competing Explanations Using National Data
— Mar. 2011
Sex While Intoxicated: A Meta-Analysis Comparing Heterosexual and Sexual Minority Youth
— Mar. 2011
Food Insecurity and Weight Status Among U.S. Children and Families: A Review of the Literature
— Feb. 2011
Lifting Boats Without Closing Gaps: Child Health Outcomes in Distressed U.S. Cities from 1992-2002
— Feb. 2011
Role Modeling, Risk, and Resilience in California Adolescents
— Jan. 2011
Trajectories of School Engagement During Adolescence: Implications for Grades, Depression, Delinquency, and Substance Use
— Jan. 2011
Video Game Play, Child Diet, and Physical Activity Behavior Change: A Randomized Clinical Trial
— Jan. 2011
Who Are America's Poor Children? Examining Health Disparities Among Children in the United States
— Jan. 2011
Report at National Center for Children in Poverty website
See all in this area » Children Ready for School
The Effect of Attending Full-Day Kindergarten on English Learner Students
— Spring 2011
Preschoolers' Total Daily Screen Time at Home and by Type of Child Care
— Feb. 2011
See all in this area » Children Succeeding in School
Getting a Job is Only Half the Battle: Maternal Job Loss and Child Classroom Behavior in Low-Income Families
— Spring 2011
Executive and Memory Function in Adolescents Born Very Preterm
— Mar. 2011
Patterns of Comorbidity, Functioning, and Service Use for U.S. Children with ADHD, 2007
— Mar. 2011
Trajectories of School Engagement During Adolescence: Implications for Grades, Depression, Delinquency, and Substance Use
— Jan. 2011
Trends in High School Dropout and Completion Rates in the United States: 1972-2008
— Dec. 2010
See all in this area » Strong Families
Getting a Job is Only Half the Battle: Maternal Job Loss and Child Classroom Behavior in Low-Income Families
— Spring 2011
Who Are America's Poor Children? Examining Health Disparities Among Children in the United States
— Jan. 2011
ABOUT OUR SUPPORTERS
The Promising Practices Network appreciates the generosity of our supporting organizations:
Annie E. Casey Foundation
The California Wellness Foundation
The Community Foundation of North Louisiana
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
Family Communications, Inc. (FCI)
Family and Community Trust
Georgia Family Connection Partnership
Grantmakers for Children, Youth and Families (GCYF)
Hands On Mississippi
Kansas Action for Children
New York State Office of Children & Family Services
RAND Corporation
The Spencer Foundation
GENERAL INFORMATION
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