Bridging the gender gap: interventions with aggressive girls and their parents

Prev Sci. 2010 Sep;11(3):229-38. doi: 10.1007/s11121-009-0167-4.

Abstract

In response to a gap in gender-sensitive programming for young aggressive girls (5-11) and their families, the SNAP Girls Connection (GC) was developed in 1996. This multi-systemic intervention is built on a developmental model of risk and protective factors within the girl and her relationships. We evaluated the SNAP(R) GC using a prospective quasi-experimental design, randomly assigning 80 girls to treatment (N = 45) and waiting-list groups (N = 35) over 2 years. Fifty-five parents completed measures at assessment periods 1, 2 and 3. Results showed significant positive changes on girls' problem behavior and parenting skills for the treatment versus the waiting-list groups, as well as maintenance of treatment gains. Implications of the findings on treatment effectiveness of this gender-sensitive intervention are discussed.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aggression*
  • Child
  • Child Behavior*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Parents*
  • Sex Factors*