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Impact of a School-Based Dating Violence Prevention Program Among Latino Teens: Randomized Controlled Effectiveness Trial

NCJ Number
253670
Journal
Journal of Adolescent Health Volume: 36 Dated: 2006 Pages: 694-704
Date Published
2006
Length
11 pages
Annotation

This study evaluated the impact on Latin/a youth of Break the Cycle's Ending Violence curriculum, a three-class-session prevention program focused on legal issues, with attention to the program's impact on teen dating violence.

Abstract

Tracks within large urban high schools that had at least 80 percent Latino/a students were randomized to immediate or delayed participation in the curriculum. Classrooms were randomly selected within tracks, and individual student outcomes were assessed pre- and post-intervention and 6 months later. The evaluation found that students in intervention classrooms showed improved knowledge, less acceptance of female-on-male aggression, and improved perception of the helpfulness and likelihood of seeking assistance from various sources immediately after the program. Improved knowledge and perceived helpfulness of an attorney were maintained 6 months later. There were no differences in recent abusive/fearful dating experiences or violence victimization or perpetration. The evaluation's overall conclusion is that the Ending Violence curriculum has an impact on teen norms, knowledge, and help-seeking proclivities that may aid in early intervention for dating violence among Latino/a students. (publisher abstract modified)

Date Published: January 1, 2006