Welcome to SDRG
SDRG is a recognized leader in the field of prevention research. Our work is guided by the belief that many common behavior, health, and social problems can be prevented. For the past four decades, SDRG has studied the causes of these problems in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Building on what we have learned, we have developed and tested intervention programs and tools that families, schools, and communities can use to promote wellbeing and reduce behavior, health, and social problems. SDRG’s research has enriched lives, influenced policy, and strengthened communities across the United States and around the world.
Research
For the past four decades, SDRG has conducted studies that have helped researchers to better understand the causes of behavior, health, and social problems in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Building on this understanding, we have developed and tested intervention programs and tools that families, schools, and communities can use to promote wellbeing and reduce behavioral health problems.
Programs & Tools
For more than 40 years, SDRG has been working with communities, schools, and families to understand and improve the lives of young people. Below you'll find SDRG interventions that have demonstrated that a social development approach to prevention can reduce risk and enhance protection in the family, school, and community. The intervention materials are available to the public.
Data Collection Services
The Survey Research Division (SRD) provides high-quality survey research services, including survey design, a variety of data collection modes, and data processing.
The Center for Communities That CareThe Center for CTC promotes healthy youth development through high-quality implementation of effective interventions developed through SDRG’s research. Our team of prevention specialists provides high-quality training and technical assistance in support of our proven programs.
News & Updates
May 13, 2025
A number of SDRG members will be presenting at this year’s annual meeting of the Society for Prevention Research this month. Please see our list of presentations for more information.
April 30, 2025
The Social Development Research Group (SDRG) periodically highlights our publications through a Research Brief. Our goal for this series is to share important research findings and draw attention to the outstanding work being done by SDRG researchers. The current brief highlights recent studies by SDRG scientists and affiliated researchers that provide insights into the circumstances...
April 14, 2025
SDRG Director, Dr. Margaret Kuklinski, recently lent her expertise in the prevention field to serve as co-author on a perspectives paper, The State of Healthy Parenting in Primary Care Interventions in Advancing Health Equity. The paper was released by the Collaborative on Healthy Parenting in Primary Care (HPPC), a research group affiliated with the Forum...
April 7, 2025
For the last 18 months SDRG director, Margaret Kuklinski, participated in developing NASEM’S Blueprint for a National Prevention Infrastructure for Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Disorders. Join the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on Wednesday, April 9, for a public release webinar in support of the report, which identifies the actions needed to prevent...
March 11, 2025
SDRG’s Jim Leighty, Dalene Beaulieu, and Margaret Kuklinski are attending the Joint Conference on Youth Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery in Baltimore, Maryland (https://youthrecoveryanswers.org/national-conference/). They will present a symposium Increasing uptake of effective parenting programs: Lessons from implementing Guiding Good Choices focused on our Northwest Center for Family Support, Guiding Good Choices for Health, and SAR...