TY - JOUR
T1 - A cluster-randomized trial of a middle school gender violence prevention program
T2 - Design, rationale, and sample characteristics
AU - Abebe, Kaleab Z.
AU - Jones, Kelley A.
AU - Ciaravino, Samantha
AU - Ripper, Lisa
AU - Paglisotti, Taylor
AU - Morrow, Sarah Elizabeth
AU - Grafals, Melanie
AU - Van Dusen, Courtney
AU - Miller, Elizabeth
PY - 2017/11/1
Y1 - 2017/11/1
N2 - Introduction High rates of adolescent relationship abuse (ARA) and sexual violence (SV) reported among adolescents point to the need for prevention among middle school-age youth. This is a cluster randomized controlled trial to test an athletic coach-delivered ARA/SV prevention program in 41 middle schools (38 clusters). Trained coaches talk to their male athletes about 1) what constitutes harmful vs. respectful relationship behaviors, 2) dispelling myths that glorify male sexual aggression and promoting more gender-equitable attitudes, and 3) positive bystander intervention when aggressive male behaviors toward females are witnessed. Methods A total of 973 male athletes (ages 11–14, grades 6–8) are participating. Athletes complete surveys at the beginning and end of sports season (Time 2), and one year later (Time 3). The primary outcome is an increase in positive bystander behaviors (i.e., intervening in peers' disrespectful or harmful behaviors); secondary outcomes are changes in recognition of what constitutes abusive behavior, intentions to intervene, and gender equitable attitudes (Time 2 and 3) as well as reduction in abuse perpetration (Time 3). Results Participating schools have a greater proportion of non-White students and students on free/reduced lunch compared to schools that declined participation. Participants' self-reported ethnicities are 54.5% White, 29.0% Black, 1.4% Hispanic and the remainder, multi-racial, other, or not reported. Conclusions This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a coach-delivered ARA/SV prevention program for middle school male athletes. Findings will add to the evidence base regarding developmentally appropriate violence prevention programs as well as the role of coaches in adolescent health promotion. Clinical Trials #: NCT02331238
AB - Introduction High rates of adolescent relationship abuse (ARA) and sexual violence (SV) reported among adolescents point to the need for prevention among middle school-age youth. This is a cluster randomized controlled trial to test an athletic coach-delivered ARA/SV prevention program in 41 middle schools (38 clusters). Trained coaches talk to their male athletes about 1) what constitutes harmful vs. respectful relationship behaviors, 2) dispelling myths that glorify male sexual aggression and promoting more gender-equitable attitudes, and 3) positive bystander intervention when aggressive male behaviors toward females are witnessed. Methods A total of 973 male athletes (ages 11–14, grades 6–8) are participating. Athletes complete surveys at the beginning and end of sports season (Time 2), and one year later (Time 3). The primary outcome is an increase in positive bystander behaviors (i.e., intervening in peers' disrespectful or harmful behaviors); secondary outcomes are changes in recognition of what constitutes abusive behavior, intentions to intervene, and gender equitable attitudes (Time 2 and 3) as well as reduction in abuse perpetration (Time 3). Results Participating schools have a greater proportion of non-White students and students on free/reduced lunch compared to schools that declined participation. Participants' self-reported ethnicities are 54.5% White, 29.0% Black, 1.4% Hispanic and the remainder, multi-racial, other, or not reported. Conclusions This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a coach-delivered ARA/SV prevention program for middle school male athletes. Findings will add to the evidence base regarding developmentally appropriate violence prevention programs as well as the role of coaches in adolescent health promotion. Clinical Trials #: NCT02331238
KW - Adolescent health
KW - Adolescent relationship abuse
KW - Gender violence
KW - Sexual harassment
KW - Sexual violence
KW - Teen dating violence
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85027581858&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85027581858&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.cct.2017.08.007
DO - 10.1016/j.cct.2017.08.007
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85027581858
VL - 62
SP - 11
EP - 20
JO - Contemporary Clinical Trials
JF - Contemporary Clinical Trials
SN - 1551-7144
ER -