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Cited by 64Child Welfare and AdoptionSubstance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesCrime Patterns and Interventions

Substance use and delinquency among middle school girls in foster care: A three-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial.

Open access
Kim, Hyoun K., Leve, Leslie D.·2011·Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
DOI 10.1037/a0025949PMC PMC3226884
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the efficacy of the Middle School Success intervention (MSS) for reducing substance use and delinquency among girls in foster care, using a randomized controlled trial design. The program was designed to fill a service gap during the summer prior to the middle school transition and to prevent delinquency, substance use, and related problems. METHOD: One hundred girls in foster care and their caregivers were randomly assigned either to the intervention (n = 48) or to a regular foster care control (n = 52) condition. The girls completed a baseline (T1) assessment and follow-up assessments at 6 months (T2), 12 months (T3), 24 months (T4), and 36 months (T5) postbaseline. Caregivers participated in assessments from T1 through T4. This study is a follow-up to Smith, Leve, and Chamberlain's (2011) study, which examined immediate outcomes at T2. RESULTS: Girls in the intervention condition showed significantly lower levels of substance use than did girls in the control condition at 36 months postbaseline. The group difference was only marginally significant for delinquency. Further analyses indicated significant indirect effects of the intervention through increased prosocial behaviors that led to decreased internalizing and externalizing symptoms and then to lower levels of substance use. The direct effect of the intervention on substance use remained significant in the presence of the indirect effects. For delinquency, the intervention had positive effects mainly through increased prosocial skills. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the importance of providing preventive intervention services for early adolescent girls in foster care.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This randomized trial followed 100 girls in foster care to test whether the Middle School Success intervention reduced substance use and delinquency three years later. The program lowered substance use at 36 months, while delinquency effects were only marginal and appeared mainly indirect through improved prosocial behavior.

Key findings

  • At 36-month follow-up, girls in the intervention condition reported significantly less substance use than controls, with a composite effect size of Cohen’s d = .47; effects were stronger for tobacco and marijuana (marijuana d = .57) and not significant for alcohol.
  • Delinquency differences between groups were only marginally significant, and the intervention did not directly reduce delinquency; instead, prosocial behavior had a direct inverse association with delinquency (β = −.30, p = .03), with 19% of delinquency variance explained.
  • For substance use, the direct intervention effect remained significant (β = −.42, p = .01), and the model explained 52% of the variance; a significant indirect path ran from prosocial behavior through internalizing/externalizing symptoms to substance use (β = −.17, p = .02), with total indirect effects also significant (β = −.11, p = .03).
  • The intervention was linked to fewer placement changes and more prosocial behavior, but placement changes did not significantly mediate either outcome.

Methods

  • Randomized controlled trial with 100 girls in relative or nonrelative foster care in two Pacific Northwest counties, recruited during their final elementary school year; 48 were assigned to the intervention and 52 to usual foster care. Mean age at baseline was 11.54 years (SD = 0.48).
  • Assessments occurred at baseline and 6, 12, 24, and 36 months postbaseline; caregivers participated through 24 months, while only girls completed the 36-month assessment. Retention was at or above 90%.
  • The Middle School Success program included six summer group sessions for caregivers and six for girls before middle school entry, plus weekly follow-up support during the first year. Measures included tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use; self-reported delinquency and delinquent peer association; placement changes; caregiver-reported prosocial behavior; and caregiver-reported internalizing/externalizing symptoms. Structural equation modeling with full information maximum likelihood was used.

Limitations

  • The paper states that the sample was 63% European American, small (N = 100), and may have been underpowered to detect smaller effects or mediation paths; it also notes reliance on single measures, caregiver-reported prosocial behavior focused mainly on home settings, and no assessment of parenting behavior.
  • The authors state that replication is needed in larger, more ethnically diverse samples and with boys in foster care before dissemination recommendations can be made.
  • Evident from the text: the 36-month outcomes relied on girls’ self-reports, caregivers did not participate at that final wave, and the alcohol measure used only frequency of use, which the authors suggest may have been insufficiently sensitive.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1037/a0025949

Cites

47 of 47 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

0 of 72 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    The intervention had significant indirect effects on substance use through increased prosocial behaviors, which led to decreased internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and then to lower substance use.

    “Further analyses indicated significant indirect effects of the intervention through increased prosocial behaviors which led to decreased internalizing and externalizing symptoms and then to lower levels of substance use.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    At 36 months after baseline, girls in the MSS intervention condition had significantly lower substance use than girls in the control condition.

    “Girls in the intervention condition showed significantly lower levels of substance use than did girls in the control condition at 36-months postbaseline.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The direct effect of the intervention on substance use remained significant even when the indirect effects were included.

    “The direct effect of the intervention on substance use remained significant in the presence of the indirect effects.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The difference between intervention and control groups in delinquency at 36 months was only marginally significant.

    “The group difference was only marginally significant for delinquency.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    For delinquency, the intervention's positive effects operated mainly through increased prosocial skills.

    “For delinquency, the intervention had positive effects mainly through increased prosocial skills.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 28
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 7
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 38

  • May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    Intervention condition was significantly related to fewer placement changes and higher prosocial behavior during the first year.

    “Intervention condition was significantly related to the number of placement changes and the girls’ prosocial behavior during the first year of the study period (assessed at T2 and T3)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The sample mean on the delinquency scale was .62 (SD = 2.03), corresponding to approximately 22 delinquent acts in the past 12 months.

    “The sample mean was .62 (SD = 2.03), suggesting girls in the present sample committed approximately 22 delinquent acts in the past 12 months.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Intervention condition was not significantly associated with alcohol use, own delinquent behavior, or association with delinquent peers at T5.

    “it was not significantly associated with the girls’ alcohol use, their own delinquent behavior, or their association with delinquent peers at T5.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    All three indicators of substance use significantly loaded on the latent factor and were significantly related to one another.

    “all three indicators of substance use significantly loaded on the latent factor and were significantly related to one another.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Girls in the MSS condition reported significantly lower levels of substance use than girls in the control condition, with Cohen's d = .47 for the substance use composite.

    “the means on the substance use outcome variables indicated that girls in the MSS condition reported significantly lower levels of substance use (Cohen’s d = .47 for the substance use composite score, which is a mean of three substance use indicators), compared to girls in the control condition.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    Prosocial behavior at T2 and T3 was significantly negatively related to internalizing/externalizing symptoms at T3 and T4.

    “Girls’ prosocial behavior at T2 and T3 was significantly and negatively related to their internalizing/externalizing symptoms at T3 and T4”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Prosocial behavior was significantly negatively related to internalizing/externalizing symptoms at T3 and T4, which were related to higher substance use at T5.

    “The girls’ prosocial behavior was then significantly and negatively related to her internalizing/externalizing symptoms at T3 and T4, which was subsequently related to higher substance use at T5.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Intervention condition was negatively correlated with number of placement changes and positively correlated with prosocial behavior at T2 and T3.

    “Bivariate correlational analyses indicated that being in the intervention condition was negatively correlated with the number of placement changes and positively correlated with the girls’ prosocial behavior at T2 and T3.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    The majority of children in the study were Caucasian (63%).

    “the majority of children in the study were Caucasian (63%).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    Group differences in delinquent behavior were only marginally significant in both multivariate and bivariate analyses.

    “Group differences in the girls’ delinquent behavior were only marginally significant in both the multivariate model and at the bivariate level”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    Internalizing/externalizing symptoms were not significantly related to delinquency.

    “However, girls’ internalizing/externalizing symptoms were not significantly related to their delinquency.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The intervention was associated with decreased placement changes and increased prosocial behavior.

    “there were significant direct intervention effects on placement changes and prosocial behavior, with the intervention associated with decreased placement changes and increased prosocial behavior.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Studies using diagnostic interviews indicate that youth in foster care tend to have high lifetime prevalence rates of disruptive disorders such as conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder, ranging from 21% to 48%.

    “Studies using diagnostic interviews (e.g., the Casey Field Office Mental Health Study) have also indicated that youth in foster care tend to show high lifetime prevalence rates for disruptive disorders such as conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder, ranging from 21% to 48% (White, O’Brien, White, Pecora, & Phillips, 2007).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites White, O’Brien, White, Pecora, & Phillips, 2007

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Youths aged 12 to 17 who have been in foster care report higher rates of illicit drug use (33.6% vs. 21.7%) and a higher need for substance abuse treatment (17.4% vs. 8.8%) than youth never in foster care.

    “According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, youths (aged 12 to 17) who have been in foster care report higher rates of illicit drug use (33.6 % vs. 21.7%) and a higher need for substance abuse treatment (17.4% vs. 8.8%) than youth who have never been in foster care (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2005).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2005

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Many girls in foster care are at increased risk of having multiple pregnancies or live births and of maltreating their own children.

    “Although girls in foster care commit lower levels of offenses than their counterpart boys, many girls in foster care are at increased risk of having multiple pregnancies/live births and maltreating their own children (Dworsky & DeCoursey, 2009).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Dworsky & DeCoursey, 2009

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Early onset of substance use, a strong predictor of later substance abuse problems, is especially prevalent among youth in foster care.

    “Additionally, early onset of substance use, a strong predictor for later substance abuse problems, is especially prevalent among youth in foster care (Jonson-Reid, Scott, McMillen, & Edmond, 2007; Thompson & Auslander, 2007).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Jonson-Reid, Scott, McMillen, & Edmond, 2007

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Thompson & Auslander, 2007

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Girls in foster care are at increased risk for serious delinquency and involvement in the juvenile justice system.

    “Girls in foster care are also at increased risk for serious delinquency and involvement in the juvenile justice system (Chamberlain, Leve, & DeGarmo, 2007).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Chamberlain, Leve, & DeGarmo, 2007

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Limited evidence suggests that girls in foster care report similarly high levels of substance use as boys in foster care.

    “Furthermore, limited evidence has suggested that girls in foster care report similarly high levels of substance use as their counterpart boys (e.g., Taussig, Clyman, & Landsverk, 2001; Thompson & Auslander, 2007).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Taussig, Clyman, & Landsverk, 2001

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    • cites Thompson & Auslander, 2007

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    A survey of youth aged 12 to 17 living with foster families in Washington in 1998-1999 found mean age of first alcohol consumption was 11.5 years and mean age of first marijuana use was 12.2 years.

    “A survey of youth between the ages of 12 and 17 who were living with foster families in the State of Washington in 1998-1999 found that the mean age of first alcohol consumption and marijuana use was as early as 11.5 years and 12.2 years, respectively (Kohlenberg, Nordlund, Lowin, & Treichler, 2002).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Kohlenberg, Nordlund, Lowin, & Treichler, 2002

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Girls in foster care tend to have experienced more physical and sexual abuse and more emotional problems than boys in foster care.

    “However, given that girls in foster care tend to have experienced more physical and sexual abuse and subsequently suffered more from emotional problems than boys in foster care (Burns et al., 2004; Leve & Chamberlain, 2005), they are likely to be susceptible to negative trajectories of problem behaviors across adolescence and adulthood without any prevention or intervention efforts (Pecora, 2010).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Burns et al., 2004

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Leve & Chamberlain, 2005

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Ryan and Testa (2005) found that over 50% of 10- to 16-year-olds in the Illinois child welfare system between 1995 and 2000 had at least one report of delinquency, a 47% greater likelihood than their non-foster care peers.

    “Based on juvenile delinquency petition data, Ryan and Testa (2005) found that, of the 10- to 16-year-olds in the Illinois child welfare system between 1995 and 2000, over 50% had at least one report of delinquency, a 47% greater likelihood than their non–foster care peers.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Ryan and Testa (2005)

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductown data

    Full information maximum likelihood estimation was used to include the full intent-to-treat randomized sample (N = 100).

    “In order to include the full intent-to-treat randomized sample (N = 100), full information maximum likelihood (FIML) estimation was used”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    At baseline, there were no differences between the intervention and control conditions on demographic characteristics, severity of physical and sexual abuse, or foster care characteristics.

    “At the start of the study, there were no differences between the intervention and control condition on any of the demographic characteristics (e.g., ethnicity, caregiver’s income), severity levels for physical and sexual abuse, and foster care characteristics (number of placement changes and type of care).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationcitation

    Preventive efforts to promote prosocial skills during early adolescence may be particularly beneficial for girls in foster care.

    “These findings indicate that prosocial skills may serve as a pathway to more positive adjustment (Cicchetti, 1990) and that preventive efforts to promote prosocial skills during early adolescence may be particularly beneficial for girls in foster care.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Cicchetti, 1990

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Because girls in foster care have typically experienced a great deal of adversity earlier in development, the middle school transition may be a particularly challenging period for them.

    “Given that girls in foster care have typically experienced a great deal of adversity earlier in development, the middle school transition may represent a particularly challenging period.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S1 (asserted).

    Premisecitation

    Children in foster care who experience child abuse and neglect and multiple caregiver transitions show deficiencies in the development of prosocial skills.

    “It has been hypothesized that children in foster care who experience child abuse and neglect and multiple caregiver transitions show deficiencies in the development of prosocial skills (Cicchetti, 1990; Koenig, Cicchetti, & Rogosch, 2004).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Cicchetti, 1990

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    • cites Koenig, Cicchetti, & Rogosch, 2004

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  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The intervention successfully stabilized placement and increased the frequency of prosocial behavior.

    “suggesting that the intervention successfully stabilized the placement and increased the frequency of prosocial behavior.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductcitation

    Girls' participation rates mirrored those of their caregivers.

    “Participation rates mirrored those of their caregivers (Chamberlain et al., 2006; Smith et al., in press).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Chamberlain et al., 2006

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    • cites Smith et al., in press

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Retention rates were at or above 90% during the study period.

    “Retention rates were at or above 90% during the study period (Figure 1).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Middle schools are often larger, more impersonal, and more achievement-oriented than elementary schools and require different teacher-student and peer relationships.

    “A prominent aspect of the middle school transition is ‘discontinuities’ in social roles and context/environment; middle schools are often larger, impersonal, and more achievement-oriented than elementary schools and require different teacher-student and peer relationships (Chung et al., 1998; Moilanen et al., 2010).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Chung et al., 1998

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    • cites Moilanen et al., 2010

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Substance use and delinquent behaviors are significant predictors of other cascading health-risking behaviors and negative outcomes, such as early sexual intercourse, STI/HIV risk behaviors, early pregnancy, and dating violence, for youth in foster care.

    “Substance use and delinquent behaviors have often been identified as significant predictive factors of other cascading health risking behaviors and negative outcomes such as early initiation of sexual intercourse, STI-/HIV risk behaviors (e.g., having multiple partners, having sex while intoxicated), early pregnancy, and dating violence for youth in foster care (e.g., Keller, Salazar, & Courtney,”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Keller, Salazar, & Courtney, 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Pecora, 2010

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The middle school transition is associated with a range of subsequent adjustment problems, including declines in academic achievement, motivation, and self-esteem, and increases in discipline problems and psychological distress.

    “A distinctive feature of the MSS intervention program is its timing during the transition to middle school, a critical period that has been associated with a range of subsequent adjustment problems (Moilanen, Shaw, & Maxwell, 2010), including significant declines in academic achievement, motivation, and self-esteem, and significant increases in discipline problems and psychological distress (e.g.,”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Moilanen, Shaw, & Maxwell, 2010

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    • cites Chung, Elias, & Schneider, 1998

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    • cites Theriot & Dupper, 2010

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Several variables exhibited significant skewness and were transformed to more closely resemble a normal distribution.

    “three indicators for substance use, two indicators for delinquency, prosocial behavior, and internalizing/externalizing symptoms exhibited significant skewness and thus were transformed to more closely resemble a normal distribution.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Of the 40 follow-up sessions offered, caregivers attended an average of 20 weekly sessions (SD = 10.4).

    “Of the 40 sessions offered, caregivers attended 20 weekly follow-up sessions on average (SD = 10.4).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The delinquent peer association scale had internal reliability of .96.

    “The internal reliability of the scale was .96.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    DiGiuseppe and Christakis (2003) found that children stay in the foster care system for approximately 2 years on average, with half experiencing at least one placement change and 20% reporting at least three placement changes in less than a year.

    “Using administrative child welfare data linked to Medicaid Claims in the state of Washington from 1998 to 1999 (N = 903), DiGiuseppe and Christakis (2003) found that children stay in the foster care system for approximately 2 years on average, with half experiencing at least one placement change and 20% reporting at least three placement changes in less than a year.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites DiGiuseppe and Christakis (2003)

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Average attendance at the individual coaching sessions was 56.4% (SD = 28.5%).

    “Approximately 40 sessions were offered and the average attendance rate was 56.4% (SD = 28.5%).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The PDR checklist has demonstrated concurrent and predictive validity in prior studies.

    “Studies have reported concurrent and predictive validity of the PDR checklist (Chamberlain et al., 2006; Chamberlain et al., 2008; McClowry, Snow, & Tamis-LeMonda, 2005).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Chamberlain et al., 2006

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    • cites Chamberlain et al., 2008

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    • cites McClowry, Snow, & Tamis-LeMonda, 2005

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The prosocial scale had internal reliabilities of .61 at T2 and .74 at T3.

    “Internal reliabilities ranged from .61 at T2 and .74 at T3.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductcitation

    Girls were randomly assigned via a coin flip to the intervention condition (n = 48) or to a regular foster care control condition (n = 52).

    “Girls were randomly assigned (via a coin flip) to the intervention condition (n = 48) or to a regular foster care control condition (n = 52; Chamberlain et al., 2006).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Chamberlain et al., 2006

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Internal reliabilities for internalizing/externalizing ranged from .85 to .94.

    “The internal reliabilities ranged from .85 to .94.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductnone given

    One hundred girls in foster care and their caregivers were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 48) or to a regular foster care control (n = 52) condition.

    “One hundred girls in foster care and their caregivers were randomly assigned either to the intervention (n = 48) or to a regular foster care control (n = 52) condition.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Assessments were conducted by trained assessors who were blind to the participants' group assignment.

    “Assessments lasted 2 hr and were conducted by trained assessors who were blind to the participants’ group assignment.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The ASEBA has demonstrated construct and content validity in the literature.

    “The ASEBA has been shown to have both construct and content validity in the literature.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductcitation

    Interventionists were supervised weekly, with videotaped sessions reviewed and feedback provided to maintain fidelity of the clinical model.

    “The interventionists were supervised weekly, where videotaped sessions were reviewed and feedback was provided to maintain the fidelity of the clinical model (Chamberlain et al., 2006; Smith et al., in press).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Chamberlain et al., 2006

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    • cites Smith et al., in press

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  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    Mean severity of neglect was not related to any outcome measure and was not significant when included in subsequent models.

    “However, the mean severity of neglect was not related to any of the outcome measures in the study and when included in the subsequent models, it was not significant.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    On average, participants completed 5.62 of the 6 summer sessions (SD = .99).

    “On average, participants completed 5.62 of the 6 summer sessions (SD = .99).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    All group-based intervention sessions were videotaped for training and monitoring of model fidelity.

    “All group-based intervention sessions were videotaped for purposes of training and monitoring model fidelity.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Increasing placement stability may help ameliorate some negative consequences of early adversity and alter negative trajectories among youth in foster care.

    “Thus, increasing placement stability may help ameliorate some of the negative consequences of early adversity and alter negative trajectories among youth in foster care (Harden, 2004; Price et al., 2008).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Harden, 2004

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    • cites Price et al., 2008

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  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Interpretationown data

    Internalizing/externalizing symptoms are significant mediators linking prosocial behavior and substance use.

    “suggesting that girls’ internalizing/externalizing symptoms are significant mediators that link girls’ prosocial behavior and substance use.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Placement disruptions are costly to the child welfare system.

    “Placement disruptions are also costly to the child welfare system (Fisher et al., 2009)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Fisher et al., 2009

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The study did not include an assessment of intervention effects on parenting behaviors.

    “we did not include an assessment of intervention effects on parenting behaviors in the present study.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Many girls in foster care have experienced early adversities, making the middle school transition particularly challenging.

    “Given that many girls in foster care have experienced early adversities, this period may be particularly challenging and existing difficulties may be easily exacerbated during this transition.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Many girls in foster care have experienced early adversities.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The middle school transition is a critical period in which many children struggle to meet academic and social expectations.

    “Studies on the general population indicate that the middle school transition is a critical period in which many children struggle to meet academic and social expectations (Chung et al., 1998; Moilanen et al., 2010).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Chung et al., 1998

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    • cites Moilanen et al., 2010

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    A recent survey indicated that a majority of illicit drug users report marijuana as their first drug (56.6%).

    “a recent survey indicated that a majority of illicit drug users report marijuana as their first drug (56.6%) (SAMHSA, 2009).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites SAMHSA, 2009

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    Many variables relied on a single measure, so the robustness of the findings should be further investigated.

    “because many variables relied on a single measure, the robustness of the findings should be further investigated.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Multi-substance use is a norm rather than an exception.

    “multi-substance use is a norm rather than an exception (Brecht, Huang, Evans, & Hser, 2008).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Brecht, Huang, Evans, & Hser, 2008

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The sample size was small (N = 100), which could have compromised the ability to detect smaller effect sizes.

    “the sample size was small (N = 100) which could have compromised our ability to detect smaller effect sizes.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Premisecitation

    There is a critical need for preventive interventions for girls in foster care to reduce problem behaviors before the transition to adulthood.

    “Results of recent surveys have highlighted the critical need for preventive interventions for girls in foster care to reduce their risk for problem behaviors before the transition into young adulthood (Courtney et al., 2005; Courtney & Dworsky, 2006; Leve & Chamberlain, 2007).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Courtney et al., 2005

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Courtney & Dworsky, 2006

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Leve & Chamberlain, 2007

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    The lack of significance of mediating paths might have been due to the limited sample size.

    “the lack of significance of mediating paths in both models might have been due to the limited sample size.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The middle school transition may provide an optimal window to reduce problem behaviors through preventive interventions, especially by increasing prosocial behavior, leading to cascading effects on reduced substance use and delinquency.

    “The overall effects of the MSS intervention indicate that the middle school transition may provide an optimal window to reduce problem behaviors through preventive interventions, especially by increasing prosocial behavior, leading to a cascading effect on reduced substance use and delinquent behaviors among girls in foster care.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The prosocial measure from the PDR was collected from caregivers and primarily measured the girls' behavior in the home setting.

    “the prosocial measure from the PDR was collected from caregivers, and therefore primarily measured the girls’ behavior in the home setting”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Interpretationown data

    Significant indirect paths through prosocial behavior highlight the importance of prosocial skills for both outcomes.

    “the significant indirect paths through prosocial behavior highlight the importance of prosocial skills among girls in foster care for both outcomes.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductnone given

    The study used a longitudinal RCT design to examine intervention effects on 36-month outcomes.

    “The present study utilized a longitudinal RCT design to examine intervention effects on 36-month outcomes.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
64 of 64

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Evidence-based preventive intervention programs specifically targeting girls in foster care during early adolescence are rare.

    “While a few promising intervention programs for girls at-risk for delinquent behaviors have been reported (Hipwell & Loeber, 2006), evidence-based preventive intervention programs that specifically target girls in foster care during early adolescence are rare.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The literature has typically focused on late adolescence, and little is known about the risks during early adolescence.

    “However, the literature has typically focused on late adolescence, and little is known about the risks during early adolescence.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The developmental pathway from internalizing and externalizing symptoms to later substance use and delinquency has not yet been systematically examined among girls in foster care.

    “These findings highlight the etiological significance of internalizing and externalizing symptoms for later substance use and delinquency, although this developmental pathway has not yet been systematically examined among girls in foster care.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    There has been very little research on developmental pathways leading to substance use and delinquency among early adolescent girls in foster care to guide intervention efforts.

    “However, there has been very little research on developmental pathways leading to substance use and delinquency among early adolescent girls in foster care to guide such intervention efforts.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    This is the first study to examine an intervention targeting the prevention of substance use among girls in foster care.

    “this is the first study of which we are aware to examine an intervention targeting the prevention of substance use among girls in foster care.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many girls in foster care have experienced early adversities.

    “Given that many girls in foster care have experienced early adversities, this period may be particularly challenging and existing difficulties may be easily exacerbated during this transition.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The sample was representative of youth in foster care in the study region.

    “Although this was representative of youth in foster care in the study region, replication in more ethnically diverse populations is warranted.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The PDR was designed to avoid the potential bias of aggregate recall of frequency estimates.

    “The PDR was designed to avoid the potential bias of aggregate recall of frequency estimates.”
8 of 8

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Statistics recomputed

Every reported test result, recomputed from its test statistic and degrees of freedom. A result shows as not adding up only once an independent check has confirmed it.

  • Consistentt(95) = -2.6reported p < .05 · recomputed p = .011

    “t(95) = -2.60, p < .05”

1 of 1

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Abstract calls the substance-use mediation pathway significant

    Major

    The abstract reports a significant indirect intervention effect through prosocial behavior and symptoms, but the Results state that the full pathway from intervention to substance use was not statistically significant as a mediation path.

1 of 1

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

1 of the 48 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Kim, H. K., & Leve, L. D.
Affiliations
Oregon Social Learning Center (US)
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
2011
Volume
79
Issue
6
Pages
740-750
ISSN
  • 0022-006X (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-2117
DOI
10.1037/a0025949
PMC
PMC3226884
OpenAlex
W1965310510
Cited by
64
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 1
FWCI
6.57
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
US Public Health Service (MH054257, DA023920; DA024672; DA027091)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Safety Research › Child Welfare and Adoption
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Crime Patterns and Interventions
Keywords
substance use, delinquency, foster care, middle school girls, preventive interventions, prosocial skills, internalizing problems, externalizing problems, caregiver involvement, early adolescence
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Behavior Therapy, Child, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Foster Home Care, Humans, Juvenile Delinquency, Social Behavior, Treatment Outcome, Caregivers, Substance-Related Disorders

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-09-28.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-09-28.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

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