Developing an inclusive Safe Dates program for sexual and gender minority adolescents: A pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the prevalence and negative consequences of dating violence among sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents, few prevention programs address dating violence for these groups. We describe the adaptation of the evidence-based Safe Dates dating violence prevention program to be inclusive of SGM adolescents and the outcome of a pilot trial of the expanded curriculum implemented in mixed settings serving both SGM and cisgender, heterosexual youth. Methods: Following a published framework of curriculum adaptation, we gathered information on SGM adolescents' needs and adapted Safe Dates materials to address SGM-speciic risk factors for, and manifestations of, dating violence. We piloted the adapted program in 11 US schools and organizations serving SGM and cisgender, heterosexual youth (N = 156). The average age of participants was 15.11 years (SD = 2.76) at baseline. Participants were diverse with respect to race/ethnicity (26% Black/African American, 24% Hispanic/Latino, 21% White, 7% American Indian/Native Alaskan, 5% Asian/Paciic Islander), gender (56% female), and SGM status (35% SGM). Multi-level models measured change in scores on a written measure of dating violence knowledge from pre-test to post-test. Results: Dating violence knowledge increased signiicantly. Improvements did not differ by gender (female-identiied versus not female-identiied) or SGM status. Conclusions: Results support initial feasibility and eficacy of dating violence prevention programs that include both SGM and cisgender, heterosexual adolescents. The program normalizes diverse SGM identities and encourages participation of youth who are questioning or choosing not to disclose their gender or sexual identities. Larger-scale research should examine effects on dating violence experiences.

Teen dating violence interventions for sexual minority youth: A scoping review

“…Two out of the three studies reported information on race/ethnicity. Racial minority youth comprised 40% (Rudzinski et al, 2019) and 79% (Wesche et al, 2021) of the total sample. Coker and colleagues conducted a school-level intervention, and individual race/ethnic information was not included in the manuscript.…”

“…Coker and colleagues conducted a school-level intervention, and individual race/ethnic information was not included in the manuscript. However, a previously published paper reported that the sample included predominantly white (84.8%) high school youth (Coker et al, 2017), whereas Rudinski and Wesche's samples (Rudzinski et al, 2019;Wesche et al, 2021) Rudzinski et al, 2019;and Green Dot Program;Coker et al, 2020) and one victimization/perpetration prevention primary intervention (Wesche et al, 2021). These studies consisted of two pilot studies and one randomized control trial; See Table 1.…”

“…One study was conducted on a college campus in Canada (Rudzinski, 2019). Two studies took place at American high schools, one in Wisconsin (Wesche et al, 2021) and one in Kentucky (Coker et al, 2020). Research designs included two pilot tests with a pre-post design (Rudzinski et al, 2019;Wesche et al, 2021) and a randomized control trial (Coker et al, 2020).…”

“…Two studies took place at American high schools, one in Wisconsin (Wesche et al, 2021) and one in Kentucky (Coker et al, 2020). Research designs included two pilot tests with a pre-post design (Rudzinski et al, 2019;Wesche et al, 2021) and a randomized control trial (Coker et al, 2020). Sample sizes in each study included 111 students (Rudinzski et al, 2019), 156 youth in the community (Wesche et al, 2021), and 16,503 students evaluated over ve years (Coker et al, 2020).…”

Teen dating violence: From analyzing the problem to finding solutions

“…Moreover, interventions need to be adapted to the specific life situation of adolescents that may define them as high‐risk groups for experiencing and/or engaging in dating violence. For example, specially adapted programs have been developed for adolescents with a history of exposure to domestic violence (e.g., Foshee, Dixon, et al., 2015; Rizzo et al., 2018), for teenage mothers (e.g., Herrman & Waterhouse, 2014; Kan et al., 2021), and for sexual and gender minority youth (e.g., Wesche et al., 2021). Because dating relationships are deeply embedded in cultural norms and scripts, interventions also need to consider adolescents’ ethnic and cultural background (Eaton & Stephens, 2018; Malhotra et al., 2015).…”