Dating Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention With African American Middle Schoolers: Does Group Gender Composition Impact Dating Violence Attitudes?

• NCJ Number: 241561
• Journal: Child & Youth Services Volume: 33 Issue: 2 Dated: April - June 2012 Pages: 158-173
• Author(s): Beverly M. Black; Arlene N. Weisz; Dheeshana S. Jayasundara
• Date Published: June 2012
• Length: 16 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Michigan Dept of Community Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article discusses a dating violence and sexual assault prevention program was presented to African-American, middle schoolers in two inner-city schools in the United States.

Abstract

A dating violence and sexual assault prevention program was presented to 396, predominately African-American, middle schoolers in 2 inner-city schools in the United States. In one school the program was offered with a same-gender group composition; in the other school, the same program was offered with mixed-gender group composition. A quasi-experimental design was used to assess how gender composition in programming influenced youths' attitudes about dating violence. Study findings suggest that boys benefit most from participation in a same-gender program and girls benefit most from a mixed-gender program. Implications for prevention programming are discussed. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.