School program reduced reported symptoms during the transition to high school
RAP Club showed broader improvements in students' self-reported symptoms at the later follow-up than at the earlier assessment.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Students assigned to RAP Club reported fewer symptoms of post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety, along with fewer behavior problems, at the final follow-up than students assigned to health education. Earlier findings were narrower. The trial supports a benefit for self-reported symptoms in the participating schools, without establishing reductions in diagnosed mental health disorders.
This abstract-based account relies on students' self-reported outcomes in schools serving under-resourced urban communities. It does not establish whether the findings transfer to other school settings or routine delivery.
What researchers found
Self-reported post-traumatic stress symptoms
RAP Club versus Healthy Topics at 12 months; the difference was statistically significant. This concerns reported symptoms rather than diagnosed disorders.
Results across follow-up
At the earlier follow-up, RAP Club showed a significant reduction in post-traumatic stress symptoms and only a trend toward lower depression symptoms. At the later assessment, significant differences covered more symptom and behavior outcomes.
How the programs were delivered
Both programs ran during the school day, led by research staff with young adults from the community as co-facilitators. These delivery conditions matter when considering whether schools could sustain similar programs outside a trial.
The original publication
Positive impacts of a universal trauma-informed intervention on student mental health: The Project POWER trial.
Mendelson T, Clary LK, Musci RJ et al.
J Sch Psychol · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40940109
- Record checked
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