Content The Adolescent Transitions Program uses a cognitive developmental approach as secondary intervention with high risk youth. Two separate curricula were developed and are presented individually to either parents or adolescents. Adolescent topics include setting limits with friends, improving parent-child relations, problem solving with parents and peers, and developing supportive friendships. Separate parent and adolescent groups are conducted. The groups are conducted by a trained group leader and an assistant.
Information is presented by the group leader, on tape, or by group members.
Discussion opportunities, group activities, and homework assignments are used to engage parents and adolescents in the program. These reductions were not found in comparison families not participating in the parent training. Furthermore, teacher reports of behavior problems were reduced by parents participating in the program. These results are alarming in that bringing together high risk adolescents for group sessions is a common and popular method of intervention. The program presents parents with information on communication skills, problem solving skills, assertive discipline, reinforcement, chore compliance, homework compliance, and supervising children associating with deviant peers.