The Bridges to Education Success for Teens (BEST) project recruited 186 teens between 2015 and 2018 to evaluate the Challenging Horizons Program for high school students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The BEST project was funded by the Institute for Education Sciences (IES) from 2014 to 2019 and was conducted by researchers at Ohio University and Lehigh University.
Dr. Steven Evans and Dr. Julie Sarno Owens of OHIO's Center for Intervention Research in Schools (CIRS), and Dr. George DuPaul of Lehigh University were the investigators. The project helped us learn about how these adolescents develop into adults, and how school-based treatments may help prepare these teens for the transition into adulthood.
Current Research
Following the initial findings, the project has evolved to allow the investigators to follow the individuals who participated in the initial study from adolescents into adulthood.
The purpose of this study is to learn more about the development of individuals diagnosed with ADHD to answer questions about the long-term course of ADHD and the long-term effects of school-based treatments. To further inform the study, the investigators are studying school and career functioning, social and emotional functioning, and drug and alcohol use.
From 2021 to 2022, this project was funded by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). The principal investigator for this iteration of the study is OHIO graduate student Samantha Margherio, with Dr. Evans, Dr. Owens and Dr. DuPaul continuing to serve as study investigators.
Study Participants
BEST study participants may contact the BEST team to schedule a study appointment, update their contact information or ask questions.
Phone: 877-724-4241
Email: best.study2021@gmail.com
BEST Team Members
- Steven Evans – Ohio University
- Julie Sarno Owens – Ohio University
- Samantha Margherio (Kempker) – Ohio University
- George DuPaul – Lehigh University
- Sean Morse – Lehigh University
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Contact Us
Do you have questions about the study or are you interested in learning more? Contact the BEST team by calling 877.724.4241 or emailing best.study2021@gmail.com .
Publications
- Cleminshaw, C. L., DuPaul, G. J., Kipperman, K. L., Evans, S. W., & Owens, J. S. (2020). Social deficits in high school students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and the role of emotion dysregulation. School Psychology, 35 (4), 233–242. https://doi.org/10.1037/spq0000392
- DuPaul, G. J., Evans, S. W., Allan, D., Puzino, K., Xiang, J., Cooper, J., & Owens, J. S. (2019). High school teacher ratings of academic, social, and behavioral difficulties: Factor structure and normative data for the School Functioning Scale. School Psychology, 34 (5), 479–491. https://doi.org/10.1037/spq0000323
- Hustus, C. L., Evans, S. W., Owens, J. S., Benson, K., Hetrick, A. A., Kipperman, K., & DuPaul, G. J. (2020). An Evaluation of 504 and Individualized Education Programs for High School Students With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. School Psychology Review , 49 (3), 333-345. DOI: 10.1080/2372966X.2020.1777830
- Margherio, S. M., Capps, R. E., Monopoli, W. J., Evans, S.W., Hernandez-Rodriguez, M., Owens, J. S., & DuPaul, G. J. (2021). Romantic relationships and sexual behavior among adolescents with ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders . Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/1087054720914371
- Margherio, S. M., Brickner, M. A., Evans, S. W., Owens, J. S., DuPaul, G. J., & Allan, N. P. (2020). The role of emotion regulation in alcohol use in adolescents with ADHD. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors , 34 , 772–782. doi: 10.1037/adb0000582