An Investigation of Multiple Pathways of Developmental Intervention Change

Cognitive Competence and Life Course Change in Multi-Problem Adolescents

“…The second of the two studies described in this paper builds on previous work by Eichas (2010) in evaluating a hypothesized Outcome Mediation Cascade (OMC) model, an integrated model for investigating the empirical intersection between intervention and developmental processes. Silverman, Kurtines, Jaccard, & Pina (2009), have highlighted the need within the treatment literature of moving beyond the standard comparative randomized clinical trial outcome studies (Eichas, 2010).…”

“…The growing efficacy outcome research literature that utilizes quantitative measures and variable-oriented data analytic strategies has provided evidence for a relation between participation in youth development interventions and positive change (Catalano et al, 1999;Lerner, 2005). Although accumulating efficacy research in support of such interventions has advanced the field, a primarily reliance on the use of efficacy outcome research places limits on the types of questions that can be asked and the types of answers that can be obtained (Eichas, 2010).…”

“…Consistent with the intervention aims of the CLP, the research aims of adopting an RDA framework include (1) identifying patterns of differential positive qualitative (structural organizational) change in the subjective meaning and significance of participant life course experiences in general, and of their experiences of self and identity in particular, and (2) identifying the positive and problematic quantitative (dimensional) changes that predict, underlie, or accompany structural organizational change (Eichas, 2010). Within RDA, quantitative (causal) variational change and qualitative (structural organizational) transformational change are viewed as two sides of a unified explanation, a conceptualization that more closely approximates the "relational" meta-theoretical ideal of overcoming the splits that have historically characterized methodological meta-theory (Overton, 1998;.…”

“…Although there are many advantages to the use of such methods of data collection, an important limitation of their use is that fixed response measures rule out in advance, the possibility of detecting response properties that are uniquely meaningful (ordinary language meaning, theoretical meaning, or both) within a specific population not previously studied or newly emergent properties in a previously studied population (Eichas, 2010).…”

“…The use of complementary qualitative free-response measures and quantitative fixed response measures in developmental intervention outreach research effectively expands the scope of intervention outcome investigation beyond the examination of properties identified as theoretically meaningful prior to conducting the research, i.e., as is usually done under cross-sectional and longitudinal quantitative research and "efficacy" research designs using fixed response measures (Eichas, 2010). Although there are many advantages to the use of such methods of data collection, an important limitation of their use is that fixed response measures rule out in advance, the possibility of detecting response properties that are uniquely meaningful (ordinary language meaning, theoretical meaning, or both) within a specific population not previously studied or newly emergent properties in a previously studied population (Eichas, 2010).…”