Social decision-making and life skills development: a critical thinking approach to health promotion in the middle school

This article discusses a classroom-based social decision-making intervention for health promotion and prevention of problem behaviors. The social decision-making approach brings together social-cognitive, affective, behavioral, and social relationship areas with critical thinking skills important for academic achievement. These skills are the same ones needed to promote children's health and prevent substance abuse and related health-compromising behaviors. Key components of this program, its development, and theoretical background are discussed, focusing on implications for school-based health promotion. As such, social decision-making provides an approach to health promotion that enhances coordination among classroom and health education personnel. The middle school years, a time of increasing risk for negative health-related outcomes, are examined as a key period for intervention. Finally, empirical evidence supporting use of social decision-making and related approaches is discussed.