Guide to Effective Programs
for Children and Youth

BICULTURAL COMPETENCE SKILLS PROGRAM (BCSP)

OVERVIEW

The Bicultural Competence Skills Program is a 10-session program designed to promote "fluency" in the two distinct cultures in which bicultural adolescents exist. The program trains participants in a variety of skills to promote social competence and positive identity. An experimental evaluation indicates that participation in the program has positive, potentially long-term impacts on substance use, peer pressure resistance skills, and certain social skills.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Target population: Bicultural adolescents

The Bicultural Competence Skills Program (BCSP) employs skills training to promote "bicultural fluency"-social competency in two cultures-in the bicultural adolescent. The program is administered over 10 sessions and is designed to address 11 positive youth development constructs, including social-emotional competence, perception of self-efficacy, and bonding with others. The skills- and competence-based curriculum is administered through activities such as role-playing and homework.

EVALUATION(S) OF PROGRAM

Evaluated population: 137 Native-American adolescents (average age: 11-12) in Washington State

An experimental evaluation of BCSP showed several promising impacts. Compared to the control group, program participants reported lower levels of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, and greater knowledge about substance use in general. Participants were also rated as having higher levels of self-control, assertiveness, and certain peer pressure resistance skills than members of the control group. These patterns were found six months after the end of the program, as well (Schinke, Orlandi, Botvin, Gilchrist, & et al., 1988).

SOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION

References:

Schinke, S. P., Botvin, G. J., Trimble, J. E., Orlandi, M. A., Gilchrist, L. D., & Locklear, V. S. (1988). Preventing substance abuse among American-Indian adolescents: A bicultural competence skills approach. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 35(1), 87-90.

Program also discussed in the following Child Trends publication(s):

Hair, E. C., Jager, J., & Garrett, S. B. (2002). Helping teens develop healthy social skills and relationships: What the research shows about navigating adolescence (Research brief). Washington , DC : Child Trends.

Hair, E. C., Jager, J., & Garrett, S. B. (2001). Background for community-level work on social competency in adolescence: Reviewing the literature on contributing factors. Washington, DC: Child Trends.

SUMMARY & CATEGORIZATION

Program categorized in this guide according to the following:

Evaluated participant ages: 11-12 / Program age ranges in the Guide: 6-11, 12-14

Program components: Clinic/provider-based

Measured outcomes: Social/emotional, Behavioral problem

Program information last updated 12/31/01.

  © Child Trends 2003