In search of effective programs to address students' emotional distress and behavioral problems. Part II: Critique of...

Part I of this article discussed the dimensions of students' emotional distress and behavioral problems and proposed school programs to address it. This section evaluates the school- and community-based programs advocated in educational, psychological, and psychiatric journals over the past five years. Twenty-nine articles were selected, and the programs classified by location, focus, and format. Their merits and limitations based on their results are discussed. This review found that (1) some programs poorly defined the study populations; (2) emotional distress was not included as a criterion; (3) a strictly behavioral approach or narrow focus on specific populations or issues prevailed. Only four programs used emotional expression and social support; (4) outcome measures focused on specific behaviors with only one study evaluating the emotional outcome; (5) none addressed the student's acceptance of the program; (6) only five measured the outcome beyond the immediate termination of the intervention, and only to a limited degree. While the programs reviewed support the likelihood that such interventions may be helpful, definitive conclusions which can be generalized to average high school students are still lacking. Recommendations for future school-based programs are proposed.