Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the WhyTry program in enhancing adolescent resilience. Ninety-four adolescents in grades seven–nine had been screened for Tier two intervention at the local junior high. The school assigned these students to either a WhyTry treatment group or an alternative treatment group. The students were all from economically disadvantaged situations and were predominantly Hispanic. The treatment group participated in the WhyTry program, led by a trained facilitator at the school. Students in the treatment and comparison groups completed a pre-test and post-test using the Social Emotional Assets and Resilience Scales (SEARS). Split plot ANOVA were used to test differential change over time according to group membership, the main effect for time, and the main effect for group. Results indicated that there was no significant interaction term, main effect for time, or main effect for group. Based on these findings it appeared that the WhyTry program as administered by the school personnel was not effective in promoting differential change in resilience over time as measured by the SEARS test. Ideas for future research may include a greater focus on internal validity, as well as a larger variety of locations for the control and treatment groups.

Degree

College and Department

David O. McKay School of Education; Counseling Psychology and Special Education

Rights

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