Violence Prevention Banner

Evaluation of the Start Strong Initiative: Preventing Teen Dating Violence and Promoting Healthy Relationships Among Middle School Students

Miller S, Williams J, Cutbush S, et al.
2015
Intimate Partner Violence.
Cohort analytic (2 groups pre and post).
No Effect
Selective

Journal Information

Journal of Adolescent Health
56
2
S14-S19
View Online
Purpose This study reports on an independent evaluation of Start Strong: Building Healthy Teen Relationships , a multicomponent initiative targeting 11- to 14-year-olds. “ Start Strong ” was designed to focus on the developmental needs of middle school students and to enhance skills and attitudes consistent with promotion of healthy relationships and reduction of teen dating violence (TDV). Methods The quasi-experimental evaluation design included data collection from four Start Strong schools and four comparison schools. Student surveys were collected at four waves of data at the beginning and the end of grades 7 and 8. Multilevel models used repeated observations nested within students who were, in turn, nested within schools to determine whether participation in Start Strong enhanced healthy skills and relationships and decreased TDV-related attitudes and behaviors. Results Short-term effects from waves 1 to 2 were statistically significant for increased parent–child communication and boy/girlfriend relationship satisfaction and support and decreased gender stereotypes and attitudes supporting TDV. Findings for acceptance of TDV and gender stereotypes persisted longitudinally. Conclusions Results are promising and illustrate that a multicomponent, community-based initiative reduced risk factors predictive of TDV. Start Strong is innovative in its focus on early adolescence, which is a critical period in the transition to dating. The results inform future intervention efforts and underscore the need for further study of middle school students.
Back to Evidence Base
Latest Items
Effects of Implementing Multiple Components in a School‐wide Antibullying Program: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Elementary Schools
Evidence Base Article
Hannah Grey 13/12/2022
Evaluation of RISE: A Sexual Violence Prevention Program for Female College Students in India
Evidence Base Article
Hannah Grey 13/12/2022
The Effect of Family-based Counseling on Domestic Violence in Pregnant Women Referring to Health Centers in Sahneh City, Iran, 2018
Evidence Base Article
Hannah Grey 13/12/2022