Identifying the Inclusion of National Sexuality Education Standards Utilizing a Systematic Analysis of Teen Dating Violence Prevention Curriculum

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Violent behaviors have devastating impacts on youth and adolescents. National standards offer a framework for age and developmentally appropriate health education expectations. This study provides findings from a systematic review and analysis of teen dating violence (TDV) prevention curricula using National Sexuality Education Standards (NSES) and National Health Education Standards (NHES). METHODS:Evidence-based and/or practice informed interventions for TDV prevention were compiled and analyzed. We used a standardized review instrument to analyze each curriculum (N = 11); each curriculum was reviewed independently and results met inter-rater agreement requirements. Data were analyzed to determine NSES and NHES inclusion. RESULTS:This study provides findings from the TDV prevention curriculum analysis using the NSES. Five NSES topic areas were addressed in the TDV prevention curriculum and included personal safety, healthy relationships, identity, sexually transmitted diseases and human immunodeficieny virus, and pregnancy and reproduction. Personal safety was the most included topic and ranged from 37% to 77%. Healthy relationships were the second most included NSES and ranged from 11% to 53%. Inclusions of NHES skills, as they are embedded within the NSES, are identified. CONCLUSIONS:Curricula decision-makers gain insight by conducting reviews before recommendations are made or the adoption process is complete. The NSES and NHES support expectations for TDV prevention and can guide curricula adoption for a school or district. School professionals should work together to ensure TDV prevention curricula complements sexuality education units. While TDV curricula may cover critical topics, a singular focus on one content area cannot replace comprehensive sexuality education.

Prevalence of Dating Violence in Adolescents of Five Colombian Cities

“…In conclusion, the results obtained in this research indicate that dv is a very widespread problem among Colombian adolescents, so the possibility of declaring it a public health problem as in other countries should be considered (Ludin et al, 2018;Mercy & Tharp, 2015;Peterson et al, 2018;Temple et al, 2013;Sánchez-Jiménez et al, 2018;Wilson et al, 2019;Wincentak et al, 2017). Such results also point out that the type of violence most frequently perpetrated and suffered is verbal / emotional and that mutual violence is very common, reaching almost 90% of the participants in this study.…”

“…The high figures reported in several studies carried out in recent years on the prevalence of violence acts perpetrated by adolescents with their partner, or of which they have been victims in dating relationships, have led to consider this phenomenon as a public health problem (Ludin et al, 2018;Mercy & Tharp, 2015;Peterson et al, 2018;Temple et al, 2013;Sánchez-Jiménez et al, 2018;Wilson et al, 2019;Wincentak et al, 2017). These figures reveal that psychological, physical and / or sexual abuse often occur in adolescent dating relationships, that increases with age and in which adolescents participate both as victims and perpetrators (Rubio-Garay et al, 2017;Ybarra et al, 2016).…”

The Moderating Influence of School Adult Connectedness on Adolescent Dating Violence and Mental Health

“…Students need an environment where they have ongoing opportunity to learn knowledge, practice skills, and develop positive attitudes that promote healthy relationships 37 . Schools are a suitable environment where students can cultivate confidence, skills, attitudes, and strategies to develop and maintain healthy relationships 38 …”

“…37 Schools are a suitable environment where students can cultivate confidence, skills, attitudes, and strategies to develop and maintain healthy relationships. 38…”

Vulnerabilidade em saúde na região de fronteira e habilidades sociais de adolescentes

“…Sendo assim, esse estudo apresentou evidências para confirmar a contribuição da associação estabelecida entre os indicadores de saúde sexual mais ampla e as habilidades sociais de adolescentes em região de fronteira, portanto, futuras pesquisas poderiam considerar as intervenções em habilidades sociais com uma estratégia complementar de prevenção e promoção da saúde bem como a inclusão em propostas curriculares com uma abordagem mais ampla da saúde sexual dos participantes buscando desenvolver a saúde geral e o bem-estar dos adolescentes (Wilson et al, 2019). O estudo apresentou um desenho transversal não sendo possível o estabelecimento de relações de causa e efeito entre as variáveis.…”