Skip navigation

If you are seeing this text, you may need to upgrade your browser to a more modern, standards-compliant version.
You can download the latest version of your favorite browser at the following links: Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape

National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center

A Federal resource for professionals, parents and youth working to prevent violence committed by and against young people.

The Impact of Conflict Resolution and Peer Mediation Programs
(Printable Version)

At this time, the effectiveness of most conflict resolution programs in reducing physical violence has not been adequately assessed. When studies have been conducted, some programs have shown no impact on aggressive behavior, while a few have been shown to reduce aggressiveness, violence, dropout rates, and student suspensions. A number of programs have been shown to be effective in improving academic performance and increasing cooperation, communication skills, assertiveness, self-esteem, and self-control.[1] [2]

For a description of programs that have demonstrated some positive impact on aggressive attitudes and/or behavior, see Best Practices of Youth Violence Prevention: A Sourcebook for Community Action (2002) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

  1. Sandy, S. V., Bailey, S., & Sloane-Akwara, V. (2000). Impact on students: Conflict resolution education's proven benefits for students. In Jones, T.S. & Kmitta, D. (Eds.), Does It Work? The Case For Conflict Resolution Education In Our Nation's Schools, Conflict Resolution Education Network, pp. 17-18.
  2. Thornton, T.N., Craft, C.A., Dahlberg, L.L. Lynch, B.S., Baer, K. (2002). Best Practices of Youth Violence Prevention: A Sourcebook for Community Action Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, pp. 123-134.