Feasibility of a randomized controlled trial for evaluating the effectiveness of the Big Brothers Big Sisters community match program at the national level

This study was conducted to assess the feasibility of a randomized control trial to evaluate the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) community match programs at the national level. Seventy-one families with children aged 7-14 years were recruited, along with 30 adult mentors. Families were randomly assigned to the BBBS program (n=39) or to a waiting list control group (n=32), and information was obtained on the children’s behaviour and psychosocial characteristics before the study began and at the 12 month point. Results indicated that a randomized control trial to evaluate the BBBS programs is feasible, although the design may be challenged ethically due to the length of time children in the control group were kept waiting.