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document
Effects of Positive Action on the emotional health of urban youth : a cluster-randomized trial . PURPOSE We examined the effects of Positive Action ( PA ) , a school-based social-emotional learning and health promotion program , on the emotional health of predominately low-income and ethnic minority urban youth . METHODS The study was a matched-pair , cluster-randomized controlled trial involving 14 Chicago public schools . Outcomes were assessed over a 6-year period of program implementation for a cohort of youth in each school , followed from grades 3 to 8 . Youth reported on their emotional health ( positive affect , life satisfaction , depression , anxiety ) and social-emotional and character development . Growth-curve and structural-equation modeling analyses assessed overall program effects on the emotional health outcomes as well as mediation of these effects via the program 's impact on youths ' social-emotional and character development . RESULTS Students in PA schools , compared with those in control schools , had more favorable change over the course of the study in positive affect ( standardized mean difference effect size [ ES ] = .17 ) and life satisfaction ( ES = .13 ) as well as significantly lower depression ( ES = -.14 ) and anxiety ( ES = -.26 ) at study end point . Program effects for positive affect , depression , and anxiety were mediated by more favorable change over time in social-emotional and character development for students in PA schools . CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that universal , school-based programs can benefit the emotional health of youth in low-income , urban settings . The modest magnitude of effects over an extended period of program implementation , however , reflects the challenges of both mounting interventions and offsetting formidable risks for mental health problems in such environments .
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Intervention_Educational
Positive Action
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Intervention_Educational
Positive Action ( PA )
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Intervention_Educational
school-based social-emotional learning and health promotion program
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Intervention_Educational
PA
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Intervention_Control
control
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Outcome_Other
life satisfaction
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Outcome_Mental
depression
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Outcome_Mental
anxiety
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Outcome_Mental
depression
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Outcome_Mental
anxiety
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Participant_Condition
urban youth :
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Participant_Condition
predominately low-income and ethnic minority urban youth .
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Participant_Condition
6-year period of program implementation for a cohort of youth in each school , followed from grades 3 to 8 .