DSAP Results
The Efficacy of the Dependable Strengths Articulation Process
See also articles in DS Research Archive
University of Washington, Seattle (1991)
Dependable Strengths Project, Dr. Jerald Forster, Director
A five-year study was conducted by the Dependable Strengths Project at the University of Washington, aided by funds from the National Science Foundation. Before-and-after tests showed that people who participated in DSAP classes or workshops significantly increased their:
- self-esteem
- motivation to achieve
- internal locus of control
- mental health
- self-efficacy.
State of Idaho School System (1994)
2001: A Career Odyssey Project, Dr. Ernie Biller, Director
An assessment of Career Odyssey, Phase One, by 8th grade teachers of 9 Idaho schools included 673 students and 95 controls.
Teachers were trained to deliver a ten-session version of the Dependable Strengths Articulation Process in their classrooms. Three months later they were asked to rate on a line of 1-to-5 what effects the process had on their students. The findings:
|
a.
|
Did DSAP have any positive influence on students? |
"Significant"
|
|
b.
|
To what degree was DSAP helpful? |
4.25 of 5
|
|
c.
|
Daily behavior of students since completing DSAP? |
4.40 of 5
|
|
d.
|
Attitudes of students towards learning after DSAP? |
4.30 of 5
|
|
e.
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To what degree would you recommend this version of DSAP to other 8th grade teachers? “Significant” |
4.60 of 5
|
The participating schools: Patient Education, State Hospital South; Franklin Jr. High; Boundary County Jr. High; Jefferson Jr. High; Cambridge School District 432; Kuna Jr. High; New Meadows Jr. High; Robert Janss School, NICI.
A 12-month test was accidentally invalidated by a researcher who led the control group in a one-day version of DSAP during the test. The before and after test scores were not significantly different.
Council of State Governments Award (1993)
In 1993, Washington State earned the Council of State Governments Award for VOTE (Vocational Opportunities Training & Education), an innovative human-resource development program for recovering drug-and-alcohol addicts, which included DSAP as a key component. Of 3,000 participants surveyed:
- 84% completed the program
- 78% were employed or in training within 8 weeks
- 68% were in the same jobs a year later
- 44% were earning more than participants in comparison studies
