Building Healthy Teen Relationships: An Evaluation of a Dating Violence Prevention Program With Middle School Students

The reported evaluation found that an adaptation of the program that was effective with high school students did not reduce dating violence generally among middle school students; however, the program was beneficial for high-risk students, particularly those already involved in dating violence; and it reduced other types of negative behaviors, such as bullying, especially in schools where it was well implemented. The study concludes that additional research is needed to understand how to prevent dating violence among middle school students. The program evaluated is the "Fourth R: Strategies for Healthy Youth Relationships." It uses classes that focus on building healthy relationships and personal empowerment in attempting to decrease dating violence, bullying, sexual activity, and substance use.