Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026
07:15
Author Spotlight: Understanding Adolescent Social Adversity Effects on Neurodevelopment in Mice
Published on: March 15, 2024
3.0K
Time-limited, structured youth mentoring and adolescent problem behaviors
Lindsey M Weiler1, Shelley A Haddock2, Toni S Zimmerman3
1Assistant Professor, Department of Family Social Science; University of Minnesota, 1985 Buford Avenue, 290 McNeal Hall, Saint Paul, MN 55108.
Applied Developmental Science
|December 8, 2015
Summary
The Campus Corps mentoring program reduced problem behaviors and marijuana use in at-risk youth. This 12-week intervention showed positive impacts, contributing to youth mentoring research.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Criminology
- Public Health
Background:
- Youth mentoring programs are crucial for at-risk adolescents.
- Effective program design is essential for positive outcomes.
- Understanding the impact of structured interventions is vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the Campus Corps program, a 12-week structured mentoring initiative.
- To assess the impact of mentoring on problem behaviors and substance use autonomy in high-risk youth.
- To contribute findings to the evidence base for youth mentoring.
Main Methods:
- A quasi-experimental pilot evaluation was conducted.
- Multiple regression analyses were used with baseline and post-intervention data.
- 315 offending youth (ages 11-18) participated, with 187 in Campus Corps and 128 in a comparison group.
Main Results:
- Campus Corps participants showed reduced problem behavior and marijuana use acceptance.
- Increased autonomy from marijuana use was observed in the intervention group.
- No significant differences were found in peer refusal skills or alcohol use autonomy.
Conclusions:
- The Campus Corps program demonstrates potential in reducing problem behaviors among at-risk youth.
- Targeted interventions can influence substance use autonomy, specifically regarding marijuana.
- Further research is needed to explore broader impacts and refine program strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
706
Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
706
01:28Conduct Disorder
843
Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...
843
01:30Community Based Intervention
584
Community-based interventions in mental health represent a paradigm shift from institution-centered care to treatments embedded within the fabric of local communities. By prioritizing inclusion and leveraging existing societal structures, this approach fosters a supportive environment conducive to addressing mental health challenges while promoting individual dignity and agency.
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
584
01:27Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
382
Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...
382
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
851
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the...
851
01:17Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence
1.8K
Erik Erikson's fifth stage of psychosocial development, "identity versus role confusion," is crucial during adolescence (ages 12 to 18). In this stage, adolescents face the developmental task of forging a distinct personal identity, a process influenced by social, psychological, and biological changes typical of this period. Adolescents naturally explore different roles, behaviors, and ideologies as they navigate complex questions of self-concept, asking, "Who am I?" and "What is my place in...
1.8K