There is increasing concern about anti-social behaviour in young people. Welfare and social control professionals try various means to improve the situation - but do they know what measures are effective?
The international IDA (Intervening with Disturbed Adolescents) project led by Professor Keith Topping has addressed these questions, particularly with respect to the most severe problem: Seriously Emotionally Disturbed Adolescents.
An intensive review of international research literature found that some measures in widespread (and costly) use had little evidence for effectiveness. Measures which were effective with seriously disturbed adolescents included: Social Skills Training, Self-Monitoring/Self-Management Training, and Peer Mediated Interventions. Some multiple-component ("wraparound") programmes were effective, and although costly could be cost-effective.
The researchers then investigated a large number of welfare professionals to see if their decisions and recommendations were based on evidence of effectiveness. Many professionals were not aware of the evidence, and many still habitually used their personally preferred method.
The IDA project has strong international connections. The research started in Dundee, was pursued in New York (in collaboration with the City University of New York, the University of Cincinnati, and the New York Association of School Psychologists), will be reported in journals in the US, but has already attracted the interest of the UK government. Conference presentations as far afield as Hawaii have already attracted international attention.
Principal researcher Brian Flynn said: "The research evidence is still patchy, and professionals will always need to use their expert judgement to bridge gaps and adapt to different situations. However, this project raises questions about the ease of access to research evidence for professionals. It also raises concerns about whether even improved access to the evidence would change the habits and personal preferences of all professionals."
Project director Keith Topping, Professor of Educational and Social Research in the Faculty of Education & Social Work said: "There is a good deal of rhetoric about the need for evidence-based professional practice, not least to help ensure that public revenues are spent effectively, but in many cases this appears to be wishful thinking".
See: IDA Project website - www.dundee.ac.uk/psychology/ida