Improving Mental Health and School Performance in Urban Eighth Graders

RAP Club: Improving Mental Health and School Performance in Urban Eighth Graders

This study assesses: (1) the impact of the Relax, Be Aware, Do a Personal Rating (RAP) Club, a school-based prevention program for urban eighth graders, on students' emotional functioning and education outcomes; (2) potential moderators and mediators of RAP Club's effects; and (3) factors related to the implementation of RAP Club, including cost of delivery and perceptions of key stakeholders.

Youth in low-income urban communities are often exposed to chronic stress and trauma, which poses risk for emotional, behavioral, and academic problems. This study will evaluate the impact of RAP Club, a trauma-informed school-based prevention program intended to promote positive emotional and academic development for eighth graders. Participants will be randomly assigned within schools to receive RAP Club or Healthy Topics, a health education active control condition.

The study will achieve the following specific aims:

1. Test whether students randomized to RAP Club have improved academic, social-emotional, and behavioral outcomes as compared to those randomized to Healthy Topics (e.g., student-reported mood and stress; teacher-rated academic performance; academic record data).
2. Explore potential moderators (e.g., baseline trauma exposure, emotional regulation) and mediators (e.g., changes in self-regulation and emotional symptoms) of RAP Club's effects.
3. Evaluate factors related to program implementation, including cost of delivering RAP Club versus Healthy Topics and perceptions of key stakeholders (teachers, group facilitators, students) regarding intervention acceptability and sustainability.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subject is attending eighth grade at a participating Baltimore City Public School
• Subject is not in a self-contained special education classroom
• Subject provides written parent permission and written assent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non English-speaking