Training AIDS and anger prevention social skills in at-risk adolescents

Youth in alternative schools often engage in high rates of risk behaviors for AIDS and violence. This study included 42 youth, ages 13 to 18, from alternative schools in San Diego CA, and tested the effectiveness of behavioral skills training based on the Behavioral-Ecological Model. Two interventions were evaluated: one teaching condom use skills and the other teaching anger management skills. Changes in most skills were significant at postintervention but were not maintained at 6 months. Few risk-related attitudes or behaviors improved at 6 months for either group.