What Is Not in the Methods Section: Challenges, Successes, and Lessons Learned From Conducting School-Based Interpersonal Violence Prevention Research

Abstract

Interpersonal violence (IV)—which includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, teen dating violence, bullying, and other forms of violence—among youth (i.e., individuals 18 years of age or younger) is a public health crisis in the United States. As such, preventing IV among youth is a public health priority. Schools are natural settings for IV prevention among youth. However, conducting school-based IV prevention research with youth in school settings is riddled with challenges, and there is little systematic discussion of lessons learned from doing this work. As such, the purpose of this paper is to outline challenges, successes, and lessons learned from conducting school-based IV prevention research, as ascertained by four researchers with over 75 years of collective experience conducting school-based IV prevention research. Specifically, we focus on the importance of researchers (1) doing research on the school/school district prior to reaching out about potential partnerships; (2) establishing relationships with school partners that are characterized by being present, trustworthiness, and respect as well as the prioritization of school partners’ ideas over one’s research agenda; (3) working collaboratively with school partners to conceptualize and fund school-driven ideas; (4) preparing for pushback, often from parents/caregivers; and (5) embracing reciprocity (i.e., do things to support your school partners that may not directly benefit you). Additional considerations for recruitment, enrollment, and retention; program implementation and data collection; and dissemination are discussed.

School partner perspectives on the implementation of the Your Voice Your View sexual assault prevention program for high school students

“…Broadly, findings align with numerous studies examining implementation outcomes within schools that highlight the importance of garnering administrative support for successful program delivery and uptake (Langley et al, 2010). As highlighted by Edwards et al (2023), ensuring that school champions are actively engaged in planning for the administration of a violence prevention program within a school can be critical to the success of the program rollout.…”

“…From this research, it is clear that there are numerous organizational factors that contribute to the implementation of school‐based violence prevention programs, which can impact the impact and sustainability of an intervention (Hunter et al, 2001). Additional research examining the process of implementing sexual assault prevention programs in high schools is needed to understand the factors that might accelerate uptake, enhance the fidelity of administration, increase sustainability, and improve overall outcomes (Edwards et al, 2023). For example, recently Orchowski, Malone et al (2023) examined the barriers and facilitators associated with implementing a 12‐week social norms poster campaign to address dating and sexual violence in middle schools.…”

“…Additional research examining the process of implementing sexual assault prevention programs in high schools is needed to understand the factors that might accelerate uptake, enhance the fidelity of administration, increase sustainability, and improve overall outcomes (Edwards et al, 2023). For example, recently Orchowski, Malone et al (2023) examined the barriers and facilitators associated with implementing a 12-week social norms poster campaign to address dating and sexual violence in middle schools.…”

Investigando el bienestar de los niños y niñas migrantes

“…Accordingly, innovative research techniques and participatory research methods with children have grown (Horgan, 2017). The importance of children's authentic involvement in research, particularly for marginalised groups such as migrant children, is increasingly acknowledged as essential to producing better research, better policy and better services (Edwards et al, 2023).…”

Preventing sexual violence in sexual orientation and gender diverse communities: A call to action

“…Community (e.g. whole-school approaches, school- and organizational- policies aiming to change community norms, improve organizational climates, and enforce existing policies) (Edwards et al, 2023 ; Orchowski et al, 2023a ; Orchowski et al, 2023b ) and societal approaches (international statements, task forces, and legislation aiming to reduce violence, change broader social norms, reduce gender-pay gaps, promote gender equity) target common sexual violence risk factors, promote protective factors, and root causes of sexual violence (e.g. oppression and gender inequity) in line with a public health primary prevention approach to efficiently prevent violence from ever occurring (Basile et al, 2016 ; Campbell et al, 1998 ; DeGue et al, 2011 ; 2012 ; Lehrner & Allen, 2008 ).…”