A Test of Partner Violence Prevention for Middle School Boys: A Dyadic Web-Based Intervention (Project STRONG)

• In Event: DWC NIJ VAWA Panel: National Institute of Justice’s Teen Dating Violence Research Portfolio

Abstract

Despite the emergence of dating and dating violence behaviors in middle school, most relationship health programs target high school students. However, rates of dating violence among middle school students are alarming; one in six 12-year-olds has experienced physical dating violence in the past six months and one in three has witnessed this type of violence among their peers (Strong, S. and R.W.J. Foundation, 2012). This research project aims to investigate strategies to prevent the emergence of domestic violence perpetration/ victimization among boys by developing and refining a web-based intervention that reduces the risk of dating violence among middle-school aged males. The intervention (STRONG), used by parents and adolescents together, is based on the empirical literature linking emotion regulation deficits to violent behavior as well as studies showing that parental involvement is crucial to offset dating violence risk. STRONG is also based on content delivered in efficacious, face-to-face interventions for relationship risk reduction among teens. STRONG was developed through consultation with experts and iterative focus group meetings with a community advisory panel comprised of middle school boys and their parents. STRONG was then tested in a small randomized trial to assess feasibility and acceptability and detect preliminary between group effect sizes to support a future large randomized efficacy trial of the program. This presentation will focus on the development of this unique intervention and findings from its pilot test.

Authors

• Christie Rizzo, Northeastern University

• Christopher Houck, Rhode Island Hospital / Brown Medical School