Evaluation of the High School Relationship Curriculum Connections: Dating and Emotions

Abstract

Interest in relationship education for high school students has grown since the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 provided funding for Healthy Marriage Initiative programs. This study used a pretest and posttest design and measures of relationship knowledge and attitudes to evaluate a relationship curriculum taught in required health education classes to a sample of 139 students. Comparison of students' pretest and posttest scores showed slight gains in knowledge about relationships. Analysis based on characteristics associated with risk and protective factors for relationship outcomes (gender, academic performance and parental divorce history) found significant differences. Implications for expanding high school relationship education and recommendations for social work involvement in these programs are discussed.

Relationship Education and Classroom Climate Impact on Adolescents' Standards for Partners/Relationships

“…The few studies focusing on relationship education for youth have supported its effectiveness (Adler‐Baeder et al, ; Gardner & Boellard, ; Kerpelman et al, ; Sparks, Lee, & Spjeldnes, ). These studies differ in the outcomes they address, but each finds that participants benefit from exposure to relationship education curricula.…”

“…Wadsworth and Markman () encouraged relationship education researchers to search for moderators of the effects of relationship education because no treatment is 100% effective, and moderators can help us understand “what works for whom.” Several studies have explored or proposed moderators of marriage and relationship education in adults (Adler‐Baeder et al, ; Bradford, Adler‐Baeder, Ketring, & Smith, ; Hawkins, Stanley, Blanchard, & Albright, ), but few studies address this topic among teenagers. Most moderator studies (Adler‐Baeder et al, ; Kerpelman, Pittman, & Adler‐Baeder, ; Sparks et al, ) examine the effects of participant characteristics (e.g., gender, race, household income, academic performance, family structure, identity style); however, few examine the effects of treatment‐related factors, though research indicates that one's initial views assessed by pretest scores prior to an educational treatment may affect what one learns from a treatment (e.g., Kerpelman et al, ).…”

Understanding change in violence‐related attitudes for adolescents in relationship education

“…In addition, a handful of adolescent RE studies (e.g., Antle et al, 2011; Sparks, Lee, & Spjeldnes, 2012) have documented significant change in dating violence acceptance after RE participation. Because unhealthy relationship patterns and dating violence are specifically addressed in RE, positive changes in dating violence acceptance after program participation are expected.…”

Factors Associated with Romantic Relationship Self‐Efficacy Following Youth‐Focused Relationship Education

“…First, regarding participant characteristics (i.e., target and timing), prior research shows that RME may have a greater influence on outcomes for female youth and African American male youth (e.g., Antle et al, ; Bradford et al, ; Kerpelman et al, ; Sparks et al, ). Our findings reinforce similar differences on perceived changes in RRSE.…”

“…Similarly, Kerpelman et al (2010) reported greater improvements in conflict management for youth with fewer economic resources or from stepfamilies. Further, studies have found that RME has a greater impact among female than male adolescents for the development of healthier beliefs about romantic relationships, intimacy, and trustworthiness (Kerpelman et al, 2009;Ma et al, 2014) and greater increases in knowledge related to curriculum topics (Sparks, Lee, & Spjeldnes, 2012). Also, Bradford, Erickson, Smith, Adler-Baeder, and Ketring (2014) reported that the greatest increase in positive attitudes toward couples counseling (i.e., "behavioral intentions") after participation in RME occurred among African American female adolescents and Caucasian male adolescents, pointing to the importance of both race and sex.…”