MBA Research Background
As an evidence-based program, part of MBA’s reputation is based on our ability to demonstrate quantitative behavioral change as a result of our interventions. To demonstrate behavioral change, we need to measure behavior, and over eight years we’ve spent a great deal of time designing and refining our evaluation measures to do that.
For our intensive 10-session program, MBA performs a number of pre- and post-intervention tests, using a wide variety of standard psychological instruments, including one that a member of our Research Advisory Council developed specifically to measure adolescent mindfulness. To gain as complete a picture of the effects of the intervention as possible, we measure using a variety of quantitative instruments that are filled out both by participants in MBA programs and those who are supervising them (in probation environments, this would be line staff; in school-based environments it would be teachers).
The following scales/measures are used across all program sites:
Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)
Healthy Self-Regulation Scale (HSR)
Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS)
Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE)
Teen Conflict Survey – Impulsivity
Medical Outcomes Quality of Life Scale – 36
Additionally (and arguably of greater importance), we code and analyze qualitative data on a regular basis from in-depth interviews conducted with youth participants and staff.
Where possible, we also integrate external behavioral measures (e.g., incident reports from detention units) into our research and evaluation efforts. For example, in our research at Camp Glenwood (San Mateo County’s long-term boys detention facility) with Stanford Medical School, we will analyze external behavioral changes of youth who participate in MBA’s intervention by making use of Glenwood’s behavior points system. The behavior points system is used for every boy in the camp and is designed to “score” behavior by taking into account behavioral infractions as well as positive behavioral changes. In our last pilot study at Glenwood in 2005-2007, there was a correlation between positive behavior points and youth who participated in MBA’s program (i.e., youth who participated had fewer behavioral infractions than their counterparts in the control group). We hope to replicate that success in the current study.
Over the medium-term, MBA is seeking funding (principally with the National Council on Crime & Delinquency) to conduct longitudinal research that would include a wider bandwidth of qualitative data and more external behavioral measures.
Image: Graph from our 06 study
