• Susan Pelgröm MSc
• prof. dr. Jessica Asscher

In this project the aim is to examine whether the Rock & Water (R&W) program contributes to increases in resilience, psychosocial wellbeing, social safety, and sexual health of prevocational boys and girls with different ethnic backgrounds. An RCT-design will be used to study whether the program is ‘solid as a rock’ (does it work?) and which elements are ‘flexible as water’ (working elements). The study examines under which condition the program is effective: 1) “R&W light” (training core-team); 2) “R&W Standard” (training core-team and whole school team); and 3) “R&W Plus” (training core-team, whole school team and parent participation). Characteristics of youth and trainers are taken into account (moderator effects). It is further examined whether effects of R&W are mediated by increases in self-control, self-reflection, and self-esteem of youth. In addition, it is investigated whether communication style of youth within the classroom (decreases in norm deviant talk) mediates the effects of R&W on social safety. Finally, youth themselves are given the opportunity to indicate their need for care, to be able to change care facilities for youth.
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