A Meta-Analysis of School-Based Interventions Aimed to Prevent or Reduce Violence in Teen Dating Relationships

Abstract

The incidence of violence in dating relationships has a significant impact on young people, including decreased mental and physical health. This review is the first to provide a quantitative synthesis of empirical evaluations of schoolbased programs implemented in middle and high schools that sought to prevent or reduce incidents of dating violence. After a systematic search and screening procedure, a meta-analysis of 23 studies was used to examine the effects of school-based programs. Results indicated school-based programs influence dating violence knowledge (g = 0 22. , 95% confidence interval [0.05, 0.39]) and attitudes (g = 0 14. , 95% confidence interval [0.10, 0.19]); however, to date, the results for dating violence perpetration and victimization indicate programs are not affecting these behaviors to a significant extent. The results of this review are encouraging, but they also highlight the need for modifications to dating violence prevention programs including the incorporation of skill-building components and a need to address the role of bystanders.

Intersectionality and Perceptions About Sexual Assault Education and Reporting on College Campuses

“…Overall, the effectiveness of college-based sexual assault education varies depending on content, audience type, and delivery context and format (Vladutiu, Martin, & Macy, 2011). In particular, men and women have been found to respond differently to sexual assault education programs in part because programs for men typically focus on reducing the likelihood that they will sexually assault others and programs for women often prioritize how to avoid sexual victimization (Brecklin & Forde, 2001;Breitenbecher, 2000;Heppner et al, 1995;Holcomb, Sarvela, Sondag, & Holcomb, 1993;. Program effectiveness among fraternity and sorority members (Anderson & Whiston, 2005;Foubert & Newberry, 2006;Yeater & O'Donohue, 1999) and male college athletes (e.g., Foubert & Cowell, 2004) demonstrates the importance of considering the cultural experiences of Greek and athletic members in sexual assault education programs.…”

Teen Dating Violence Perpetration: Protective Factor Trajectories from Middle to High School among Adolescents

“…Limited information exists on effective TDV perpetration prevention strategies (De La Rue, Polanin, Espelage, & Pigott, 2017;Whitaker et al, 2006). Understanding what factors put teens at risk for perpetrating TDV and what protects them from the risk of perpetration is critical for enhancing prevention efforts.…”

Age of onset for physical and sexual teen dating violence perpetration: A longitudinal investigation

“…A number of TDV prevention programs are being implemented and have been empirically examined with adolescents (e.g., De La Rue et al, 2017; O’Connell, Boat, & Warner, 2009). However, research on when (i.e., at what age) primary prevention programs for TDV perpetration should be implemented is scarce.…”

“…However, research on when (i.e., at what age) primary prevention programs for TDV perpetration should be implemented is scarce. The lack of research remains despite calls from researchers to implement primary prevention programs for TDV perpetration (e.g., Foshee & Reyes, 2009; Whitaker et al, 2006), as interventions for reducing violence, once violence has been established in a relationship, are minimally effective (De La Rue et al, 2017; Shorey et al, 2012). Adolescence represents a sensitive time for the development of TDV perpetration (Johnson, Giordano, Manning, & Longmore, 2015), with middle adolescence and emerging adulthood (i.e., ages 15–25) representing the period when risk for intimate partner violence (IPV) is greatest (Johnson et al, 2015; O’Leary & Smith Slep, 2003).…”