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Youth Relationships Project A Violence Prevention Program This research project targets the prevention of violence in relationships. It is argued that child abuse, spouse abuse and sexual violence towards women share a related developmental course which is not inevitable. If well-planned alternative sources of information and experience are provided to adolescents who come from abusive families then there is a substantial possibility of reducing future victimization and offenses. Principal Investigators: David A. Wolfe, Christine Wekerle Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario TABLE OF CONTENTS
Members of the Youth Relationships Project
The Department of Psychology Social
Science Centre, CANADA N6A 5C2 Centre
for Research on Violence Against Women and Children David A. Wolfe completed his
undergraduate degree at the University of Rochester in New York, and his
graduate work at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. After
completing his residency in clinical psychology at the University of
Mississippi Medical Center in 1980, he joined the faculty at the University of
Western Ontario in London, Canada, where he is currently Professor of
Psychology and Psychiatry. He is a founding member of the Center for Research
on Violence Against Women and Children, and a fellow of the American
Psychological Association (APA). He served as President of Division 37 (Child,
Youth, and Family Services) of the APA and is an editorial board member of
several scientific and professional journals and funding agencies. Youth Relationships Project PROJECT ABSTRACT Funded by National Health Research Development Program: Health Canada and the Ontario Mental Health Foundation, this project targets the prevention of violence against women, focusing on adolescents with a history of family disruption and violence who are at greatest risk of becoming either a victim or a perpetrator of violence toward others. We wish to discover new ways to work with youth to assist them in forming choices and in learning non-violent means of communicating with their current and future partners. The Youth Relationships Project (YRP) was developed to address the emotional, behavioral, and cognitive factors that strengthen the expression of positive interactions with dating partners and reduce the probability of power-assertive and violent behavior. The study involves an experimental design with random assignment. Youths (N = 400; 14-16 years old) from child protective services are assigned to either the intervention (YRP) or to a control condition (standard services). Intervention is delivered in small (N=12) co-ed groups over 18 weekly two-hour sessions and consists of a) understanding and awareness of gender-based violence, and b) skill development and social action (e.g., personal responsibility; communication; community participation). Specific Objectives of this study include: (1) evaluating the pattern of diversion of target behaviors associated with violence in adolescent relationships relative to control group and sensitive to gender differences, (2) Evaluating the extent of growth in relationship skills and relationship satisfaction associated with positive, nonviolent adolescent relationships relative to control group and sensitive to gender differences; and (3) Estimating the profile of risk of violence in relationships by evaluating whether (and if so, when) violence occurs, as well as the risk of violence occurring in each follow-up period spanning two years (i.e., survival analysis).
This study pertains to the federal priority of illness prevention for groups at risk, using early intervention strategies to promote awareness of and alternatives to violence in relationships. This is the first systematic attempt to prevent relationship violence among persons who are at greatest risk of showing such behavior, or being the victim of such behavior, in young adulthood. Success of the program will be determined not only by the absence of violence/abuse, but also in terms of growth in positive relationship indicators. Youth Relationships Project HISTORY OF THE PROJECT The Youth Relationships Project (YRP) began through a conference hosted by the Institute for the Prevention of Child Abuse in 1989 which discussed expert opinion on the best ways to prevent child abuse with the intention of launching a longitudinal study in the future. It was determined that the best window of opportunity seemed to be during adolescence. Adolescence is a key developmental period in which education regarding peer and dating relationships should be provided. Violence prevention can be attempted during adolescence if we consider that youth are beginning to develop relationship patterns which they will carry on with them into adulthood. The Youth Relationships Project has developed an 18 week prevention program for adolescents 14-16 years of age. This program is designed to provide youth at-risk of developing violent or abusive relationships with skills that will encourage healthy relationships. Youths who have been targeted for this program are those with a history of experiencing or witnessing violence within their homes during childhood. See our newsletter for more information about the prevention program as it has been implemented in local communities. Children's Aid Society or Child Protective Service agencies refer youths to the program. Referrals are also welcome from school guidance counselors, etc. Facilitators for the program are usually social workers from CAS or CPS agencies and other local community agencies which are familiar with the issues of violence and abuse. Each group is led by a male and female facilitator who are trained by our staff regarding the philosophy of the YRP. Youths meet for 2 hours per week for 18 weeks to participate in a learning and sharing experience. Issues discussed include myths and facts of woman abuse, dating violence, sexual assault. Communication and assertiveness skills are developed. Social action opportunities include learning about and visiting local community agencies and organizing a social action event in the community to benefit a community agency such as Sexual Assault Center, shelter, etc. The curriculum is available in full in the Youth Relationships Manual. THE YOUTH RELATIONSHIPS MANUAL The Youth Relationships Manual: A Group Approach with Adolescents for the Prevention of Woman Abuse and the Promotion of Healthy Relationships Our prevention program is facilitated through the use of a manual which has recently been published by Sage Publications. This manual provides the curriculum for the 18 week prevention program, a discussion of the philosophy and goals of the project, and tips for implementing the program in your community. Wolfe, D.A., Wekerle, C., Gough, R., Reitzel-Jaffe, D., Grasley, C., Pittman, A.L., Lefebvre, L., Stumpf, J. (1996). The Youth Relationships Manual: A Group Approach with Adolescents for the Prevention of Woman Abuse and the Promotion of Healthy Relationships. Thousand Oaks: Sage. |
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