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Key research themes
1. How can technical assistance and capacity-building frameworks enhance the implementation quality of evidence-based prevention interventions?
This research theme focuses on strategies to bridge the gap between evidence-based prevention programs and their effective uptake in practice settings. Specifically, it examines technical assistance (TA) as a capacity-building mechanism to improve practitioner readiness and fidelity of implementation. Understanding the functional components of TA, how it is delivered across the innovation life cycle, and the role of interpersonal relationships in TA is critical to scaling prevention interventions with quality.
Key finding: This synthesis identified a lack of explicit models guiding TA delivery despite extensive investment, highlighting three organizing frames—tasks (planning, implementing, evaluating TA), relationships (trust and respect... Read more
Key finding: Surveying 253 educators implementing a comprehensive integrated three-tiered prevention model (Ci3T), this study found tiered systems enable data-driven decision-making across academic, behavioral, and social domains,... Read more
Key finding: This paper identifies evidence-based kernels—fundamental behavior-change units—and behavioral vaccines as potent, low-cost building blocks that can be scaled via community coalitions using social marketing. The findings... Read more
Key finding: Assessment revealed significant gaps in preART services with inconsistent CD4 testing, clinical staging, and missed opportunities for integrated care (e.g., TB screening, contraception). Less than half of eligible patients... Read more
2. What theoretical and conceptual frameworks guide integrated and multi-level prevention strategies in occupational and youth contexts?
This theme centers on conceptualizing prevention as an integrated, multi-level approach that combines primary, secondary, and tertiary interventions across various stakeholders and settings. It explores frameworks that facilitate coordination and integration of preventive actions at individual, organizational, and systemic levels to maximize intervention effectiveness, sustainability, and health outcomes. The theme additionally considers youth justice and problem behavior prevention models emphasizing rights-based and behavior-specific approaches.
Key finding: This concept analysis clarified integrative prevention at work as coordinated actions across primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention that unify health promotion and stakeholder engagement within organizations. It... Read more
Key finding: This protocol outlines a rigorous two-phase concept analysis combining a meta-narrative literature review with qualitative interviews from diverse workplace stakeholders to define integrated prevention at work. The study aims... Read more
Key finding: Through critical analysis of youth justice policy and practice in England and Wales, this paper identifies tensions between welfare-oriented and punitive approaches, highlighting the marginalization of children's... Read more
3. How do positive psychology and life course approaches inform early intervention and health promotion within prevention frameworks?
This literature cluster investigates the incorporation of positive psychology principles and a life course perspective in prevention science to enhance health, well-being, and behavioral outcomes from early developmental stages through adulthood. It underscores the significance of positive emotional and behavioral interventions, developmental tailoring, and empowerment approaches that are integral to effective health promotion and chronic disease prevention.
Key finding: The review categorizes 280 youth-targeted positive psychological interventions (PPIs) implemented in schools and clinical settings, revealing that mindfulness and positive content-balanced approaches predominate. It argues... Read more
Key finding: This paper articulates a life course framework that integrates prevention efforts across preconception, childhood, adolescence, and old age, targeting risk factors and social determinants to reduce non-communicable disease... Read more
Key finding: This chapter synthesizes evidence demonstrating the synergistic effect of positive psychology interventions combined with healthy lifestyle behaviors in promoting 'positive health.' It elucidates mechanisms where positive... Read more