Assessing the Long-Term Effects of the Safe Dates Program and a Booster in Preventing and Reducing Adolescent Dating Violence Victimization and Perpetration

Date

2004

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

American Journal of Public Health

Abstract

Objectives: This study determined 4-year postintervention effects of Safe Dates on dating violence, booster effects, and moderators of the program effects. Methods: We gathered baseline data in 10 schools that were randomly allocated to a treatment condition. We collected follow-up data 1 month after the program and then yearly thereafter for 4 years. Between the 2- and 3-year follow-ups, a randomly selected half of treatment adolescents received a booster. Results: Compared with controls, adolescents receiving Safe Dates reported significantly less physical, serious physical, and sexual dating violence perpetration and victimization 4 years after the program. The booster did not improve the effectiveness of Safe Dates. Conclusions: Safe Dates shows promise for preventing dating violence but the booster should not be used. (Author Abstract)

Description

Keywords

child abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, program evaluation, research

Citation

Foshee, Vangie A. ; Bauman, Karl E. ; Ennett, Susan T. ; Linder, G. Fletcher ; Benefield, Thad ; Suchindran, Chirayath. (2004). Assessing the Long-Term Effects of the Safe Dates Program and a Booster in Preventing and Reducing Adolescent Dating Violence Victimization and Perpetration. American Journal of Public Health, 94(4), 619-624.

DOI