School Based Program to Prevent Teen Dating Violence
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 11 - 15 |
| Updated: | 6/15/2018 |
| Start Date: | January 18, 2018 |
| End Date: | September 2021 |
| Contact: | Melanie A Thiel, MPH |
| Email: | mathiel@utmb.edu |
| Phone: | 7138186281 |
Cluster Randomized Trial of School Based Program to Prevent Teen Dating Violence
This study is a school-based cluster randomized trial of the 7th grade version of Fourth R, a
promising teen dating violence prevention program, with 24 ethnically diverse middle schools
(12 intervention schools, 12 control schools) in one of the nation's largest school
districts. Students (N = 3,375) will be the unit of analysis and studied prospectively
(baseline, [post-intervention], and annually for 3 years) to determine the impact of the
program by comparing students in intervention schools with those in control schools.
promising teen dating violence prevention program, with 24 ethnically diverse middle schools
(12 intervention schools, 12 control schools) in one of the nation's largest school
districts. Students (N = 3,375) will be the unit of analysis and studied prospectively
(baseline, [post-intervention], and annually for 3 years) to determine the impact of the
program by comparing students in intervention schools with those in control schools.
The prevalence of teen dating violence (TDV), as well as the adverse mental, physical, and
relationship health outcomes associated with it, underscores the need for effective TDV
prevention programs, of which there are few.
The study will evaluate a new 7th-grade version of Fourth R, which has been rewritten to be
developmentally appropriate and correspond to national health standards for this younger age.
The 7th-grade version of Fourth R is innovative because it emphasizes socio-emotional
learning, includes lessons on mental health, and addresses technology and cyber TDV. These
additional components will strengthen the core social-emotional competencies of youth,
competencies that are critical for the creation of healthy relationships and avoidance of
unhealthy ones. A TDV prevention program aimed at promoting healthy relationships at this
developmentally important age holds tremendous promise.
The primary aim is to determine whether Fourth R reduces students' TDV, as indexed by less
perpetration and victimization of physical, sexual, and psychological TDV, relative to
students in control schools.
The secondary aims are to determine whether Fourth R, relative to control, 1) improves
students' [relationship quality], emotional well-being, and increases their acquisition and
use of healthy relationship skills, as indexed by improved problem-solving, communication,
and conflict resolution skills; 2) ameliorates the modifiable cognitive and behavioral
correlates associated with the perpetration and victimization of TDV, as indexed by fewer
attitudes justifying dating violence, decreased substance use, risky sexual behavior,
fighting, and bullying, increased school connectedness, improved academic performance, and
decreased psychological symptoms; and [3) improves school climate as indexed by student,
teacher, and staff reports of school environment as it relates to healthy relationships and
TDV; and by reductions in school disciplinary actions related to violence, substance use, and
academic failure]. Prespecified differences by gender and ethnicity will be examined, as well
as the acquisition and utilization of various program components.
relationship health outcomes associated with it, underscores the need for effective TDV
prevention programs, of which there are few.
The study will evaluate a new 7th-grade version of Fourth R, which has been rewritten to be
developmentally appropriate and correspond to national health standards for this younger age.
The 7th-grade version of Fourth R is innovative because it emphasizes socio-emotional
learning, includes lessons on mental health, and addresses technology and cyber TDV. These
additional components will strengthen the core social-emotional competencies of youth,
competencies that are critical for the creation of healthy relationships and avoidance of
unhealthy ones. A TDV prevention program aimed at promoting healthy relationships at this
developmentally important age holds tremendous promise.
The primary aim is to determine whether Fourth R reduces students' TDV, as indexed by less
perpetration and victimization of physical, sexual, and psychological TDV, relative to
students in control schools.
The secondary aims are to determine whether Fourth R, relative to control, 1) improves
students' [relationship quality], emotional well-being, and increases their acquisition and
use of healthy relationship skills, as indexed by improved problem-solving, communication,
and conflict resolution skills; 2) ameliorates the modifiable cognitive and behavioral
correlates associated with the perpetration and victimization of TDV, as indexed by fewer
attitudes justifying dating violence, decreased substance use, risky sexual behavior,
fighting, and bullying, increased school connectedness, improved academic performance, and
decreased psychological symptoms; and [3) improves school climate as indexed by student,
teacher, and staff reports of school environment as it relates to healthy relationships and
TDV; and by reductions in school disciplinary actions related to violence, substance use, and
academic failure]. Prespecified differences by gender and ethnicity will be examined, as well
as the acquisition and utilization of various program components.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Attending 7th grade health class in Houston area middle schools
Exclusion Criteria:
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