The STARS Program: Social Empowerment Training for Preadolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Abstract

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there has been a dramatic increase in the number of children being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the last several years. School nursing interventions need to be developed, implemented, and evaluated to address complexities experienced by this population. The STARS curriculum (Social Empowerment Training and Responsibilities for Students with ADHD) is a nursing intervention designed to improve perceptions of scholastic competence, social acceptance, and behavioral conduct in preadolescents diagnosed with ADHD. It consists of eight sessions with the theme of social empowerment training woven throughout the curriculum. The support group concept, with children helping children, initiated dynamic conversation as the participants creatively problem-solved and developed solutions to their difficulties.

Evaluating the Effects of a Peer-Support Model: Reducing Negative Body Esteem and Disordered Eating Attitudes and Behaviours in Grade Eight Girls

“…Notably, more than 50% of self-help groups are thought to have some degree of professional involvement indicating that in the United States the number of people accessing self-help services may in fact exceed the number receiving professional mental health care (Yalom & Leszcz, 2005). In adolescent populations peersupport groups have been used to address an array of issues, some examples include: selfharm (Jones, 2009), psychosocial support (Azzarto, 1997), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (Frame, 2004), and emotional support (Barak & Dolev-Cohen, 2006).…”