This study examined whether “It’s Your Game . . . Keep It Real” (IYG) – a program intended to delay sexual behavior and promote healthy dating relationships in ethnic-minority middle-school youth – reduced dating violence and emotional abuse among ethnic-minority middle-school youth.
National estimates indicate that close to 10 percent of high school youth (9th-12th graders) are victims of physical dating violence, and just over 20 percent are victims of emotional dating violence. This not only increases the risk for adverse mental health outcomes but may be predictive of intimate partner violence as adults. In two previous randomized controlled trials, IYG was determined to be effective in delaying the initiation of sexual behavior and reducing other sexually risky behaviors. The current study’s goal was to determine whether IYG reduces dating violence and emotionally abusive behaviors among ethnic-minority middle-school youth. This randomized trial of IYG involved the analysis of data from 766 predominantly ethnic-minority students attending 10 middle schools in southeast Texas in 2004. The study estimated logistic regression models, with the primary outcome being the perpetration of or victimization from emotional abuse and physical dating violence by the 9th grade. Data analysis found that compared to students participating in IYG, students in the control group had significantly higher odds of victimization from dating physical violence and dating emotional abuse. The odds of the perpetration of physical dating violence were not significantly different between the two groups. Program effects varied by gender and race/ethnicity. Further study is warranted in determining whether IYG should be widely disseminated to prevent dating violence; however, it is one of only a few school-based programs that are effective in reducing adolescent dating violence. 3 tables, 1 figure, and 53 references