ABSTRACT
This chapter starts with concept defi nitions and descriptions of different types of interventions and prevention efforts. Evidence-based practice (EBP) in medicine, psychological practice and social work is covered next, followed by a more detailed discussion of evidence-based treatments (EBTs) and empirically supported programs (ESPs). Next, the phases of implementation of ESPs are presented with a particular focus on factors that may either facilitate or impede efforts to put research and theory into practice. Finally, we discuss the importance of examining mechanisms of change (mediators) and the conditions under which and for whom treatment may work well or poorly (moderators). Throughout this book we review the strengths, limitations and challenges of EBP, and how it compares to other ways of delivering services to young people. We take the position that prevention and intervention addressing adolescent problem behaviors ought to have a good theoretical and empirical foundation and, if at all possible, be evaluated in controlled evaluation studies, preferably prior to full-scale implementation. In other words, our belief is that practice should be evidence-based rather than authority-based, consensus-based or ideology-based. It should not be taken to mean, however, that we disregard other types of research or practice-based knowledge, but rather that we give priority to prevention efforts and treatment programs that have a sound theoretical and empirical basis.
