Preventive Treatment Program

Ages: 7-9

Contact: Richard E. Tremblay, Ph.D.
University of Montreal
GRIP
3050, Edouard-Montpetit
Montreal, Quebec
Canada H3T 1J7
Phone: 514/343-6963, Fax: 514/343-6962

The program is designed to prevent antisocial behavior of boys who display early, problem behavior. It provides training for both parents and youth to decrease delinquency, substance use, and gang involvement.

The intervention has been successfully implemented for white, Canadian-born males, ages 7-9, from low socioeconomic families, who were assessed as having high levels of disruptive behavior in kindergarten.

Evaluations for the program have demonstrated both short- and long-term gains for youth receiving the intervention. At age 12 treated boys were:

  • Less likely to steal and trespass,
  • Rated by teachers as fighting less than untreated boys,
  • Well-adjusted in school with less serious difficulties as compared to untreated boys.

    At age 15 boys were less likely to report:

  • Gang involvement;
  • Substance use;
  • Committing of delinquent acts; and
  • Having friends arrested by the police.

    Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Promising Program, 1999