New Study Examines Effects of CDC’s Dating Matters Comprehensive Prevention Model on Teen Dating Violence and Relationship Behaviors
Helps Increase Our Understanding of What Works to Prevent Teen Dating Violence Early
A new randomized controlled trial published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicineexamines the effects of the Dating Matters comprehensive prevention model in middle school compared to another evidence-based program on dating violence and other relationship behaviors in middle school.
From 2011 to 2016, CDC funded four health departments in Baltimore, MD, Chicago, IL, Oakland, CA, and Ft. Lauderdale, FL to examine the comparative effectiveness of Dating Matters. The health departments in these cities recruited 10-12 middle schools in neighborhoods identified as having above average rates of crime and economic disadvantage. Forty-six middle schools were randomly assigned to implement either the Dating Matters comprehensive teen dating violence prevention model or an existing evidence-based prevention program. Each year following program implementation, students from the four communities completed self-report surveys in fall (baseline) and spring (for follow-up).
This publication presents results on the study’s primary outcomes (teen dating violence and other relationship behaviors) among two cohorts of students who had the opportunity for full exposure to Dating Matters during middle school (6th–-8th grade), and who reported having dated before or during middle school. Students completed confidential surveys that asked about teen dating violence behaviors like physical abuse, sexual abuse, relational aggression, emotional or verbal abuse, severe physical abuse, or threatening with a weapon. Additional items asked about the students’ use of negative conflict resolution strategies (like exploding during arguments or getting out of control) and their use of positive relationship skills (like being honest and working out differences).
Main Findings:
During middle school, students who participated in Dating Matters, compared to those who participated in another evidence-based prevention program, reported the following results:
- All groups had lower teen dating violence perpetration scores at most follow-up time points (with relative risk reduction averaging 8%).
- All groups had lower teen dating violence victimization scores at all follow up time points (with relative risk reduction averaging 10%).
- Most groups had lower use of negative conflict resolution strategies at most follow-up time points (relative risk reduction averaging 6%).
- All students (those exposed to Dating Matters and the other program) had similar use of positive relationship skills (like being honest and working out differences) across time.
Implications
Findings from this study suggest that the Dating Matters comprehensive teen dating violence prevention model is more effective than an existing evidence-based program at reducing teen dating violence perpetration and victimization and the use of negative conflict resolutions strategies in middle school. Forthcoming papers will examine the effects of Dating Matters on additional outcomes, such as bullying, sexual violence, and delinquent behaviors. CDC also followed the cohorts into high school to examine whether the effects of Dating Matters were sustained over time.
Results from the evaluation were used to develop the Dating Matters Toolkit, an implementation package to help organizations across the country carry out Dating Matters in their communities. The toolkit will be available later this year at no-cost for communities. Be on the lookout for updates soon!
New study examines effects of CDC’s comprehensive prevention model Dating Matters on teen dating violence and other relationship behaviors Read more: bit.ly/2VWeref
Study shows how Dating Matters can help prevent dating violence and negative relationship behaviors in middle school: bit.ly/2VWeref
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