Using research and theory to develop prevention programs for high risk families

A five-stage model for prevention program development and research is presented and illustrated in the development of a parenting intervention for low income, ethnically diverse families. The intervention, called the Raising Successful Children Program, was aimed at reducing child mental health problems. We report how mediator variables were identified, how the intervention was designed to impact these variables, how the intervention was implemented, and the results of the pilot tests.