Program to reduce aggression in girls through teacher coaching

The Friend to Friend Program: Effectiveness When Conducted by School Staff

This study tests a program that helps teachers and counselors reduce relational aggression among 4th and 5th grade girls in urban schools to see if it makes a difference in their behavior.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 5250 (estimated)
• Ages: 7 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
• Trial ID: NCT04164472 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Friend to Friend (F2F) program, which targets relational aggression among 4th-5th grade girls, when implemented by teachers and counselors with support from the research team. The intervention consists of 14 small group sessions and 8 classroom sessions, along with pre- and post-program questionnaires for students, teachers, counselors, and parents. The study aims to assess the program's impact on reducing relational aggression in a school setting, particularly in urban schools with predominantly minority student bodies. The research will also involve screening all students to identify those exhibiting relational aggression.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are 4th-5th grade girls identified as relational aggressors through peer-rating measures.

Not a fit: Patients who may not benefit from this study include boys and girls in grades other than 4th-5th or those not exhibiting relational aggression.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly reduce relational aggression among young girls, leading to improved social interactions and mental health.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown success with similar school-based interventions targeting aggression, indicating potential for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Aim 1 Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria:

* Inclusion Criteria for Schools

  40 schools will be selected on the basis of the following inclusion criteria:
  1. Urban school from the School District of Philadelphia
  2. Predominately minority student body (\> 80%)
  3. Relatively large school with at least 2 classrooms per grade
  4. School is not currently involved in a systematic anti-aggression or bullying prevention program
  5. School must have at least 1 school counselor who is interested in participating
* Inclusion Criteria for Students

  1. All boys and girls in regular education 4th-5th grade classrooms will be eligible to participate in screening and outcome assessment activities.
  2. Screening will include a peer-rating procedure that will be utilized to identify girls with relational aggression (GRAs).
  3. GRAs will be based on if they score \> .50 of a Standard Deviation above mean on relational aggression on the peer-rating measure. These identified girls will be recruited (with written parent consent and student assent) to participate in the F2F with Coaching or control condition.
* Inclusion Criteria for Parents

  1) All parents of students in regular education 4th-5th grade classrooms will be eligible to participate in outcome assessment activities. Starting in year 4, parent recruitment will focus on parents of indicated girls.
* Inclusion Criteria for Teachers/Counselors

  1. Teachers/counselors employed by the participating school sites who provide their verbal consent for participation.
  2. Teachers/counselors who currently teach and/or provide services to students in 4th-5th grade.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Exclusion Criteria for Students

  1) Students who do not speak English. 2) Students whose parents do not speak English or one of the foreign languages into which the Parent Information Sheet for Child Participation has been translated (who therefore cannot opt their child in or out of the study in an informed manner).

  3) Special education students who are not integrated within the regular education classroom.

  4) In intervention schools, boys are excluded from the F2F small group intervention, however, as noted above, all boys will participate in the class portion of the program. Boys in both conditions will complete screening and outcome assessment activities.
* Exclusion Criteria for Parents

  1) Parents who do not speak English or one of the foreign languages into which the Parent Information Sheet for Parent Participation and parent questionnaires have been translated.

  2) Parents of students in special education who are not integrated within the regular education classroom.
* Exclusion Criteria for Teachers/Counselors

  1. Teachers/counselors who do not speak English.
  2. Teachers/counselors who are not working with 4th-5th grade students at the participating school sites.

Aim 2: Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria

* Aim 2 Inclusion Criteria - Schools 1) 10 of Friend to Friend with Coaching schools in Aim 1 will participate in Aim 2.
* Aim 2 Inclusion Criteria - Students

  1. 4th grade boys and girls who meet the same criteria as described in Aim 1.
  2. Similar to Aim 1, a peer rating procedure will be used to identify girls with relational aggression (GRAs) and prosocial role models.
* Aim 2 Inclusion Criteria - Parents 1) Same as Aim 1.

Aim 2 Inclusion Criteria - Teachers/Counselors 1) Counselors and 4th grade teachers who participated in F2F with Coaching in Aim 1.

Aim 2 Exclusion Criteria - Students, Parents, Teacher/Counselors

1) Same as Aim 1.

Where this trial is running

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Stephen Leff, PhD

Conditions: Aggression, Relational Aggression, Indicated intervention, Universal prevention, School-based, Urban