Efficacy evaluation of "Dat-e Adolescence": A dating violence prevention program in Spain

PLoS One. 2018 Oct 15;13(10):e0205802. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205802. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

This study presents the first evaluation of Dat-e Adolescence, a dating violence prevention program aimed at adolescents in Spain. A cluster randomized control trial was used involving two groups (a control group and experimental group) and two waves (pre-test and post-test six months apart). 1,764 students from across seven state high schools in Andalucía (southern Spain) participated in the study (856 in the control group and 908 in the experimental group); 52.3% were boys (n = 918), with ages ranging from 11 to 19 years (average age = 14.73; SD = 1.34). Efficacy evaluation was analyzed using Latent Change Score Models and showed that the program did not impact on physical, psychological or online aggression and victimization, nor did it modify couple quality. It was, however, effective at modifying myths about romantic love, improving self-esteem, and improving anger regulation, as a trend. These initial results are promising and represent one of the first prevention programs evaluated in this country. Future follow-up will allow us to verify whether these results remain stable in the medium term.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anger
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intimate Partner Violence / prevention & control*
  • Intimate Partner Violence / psychology
  • Male
  • Program Evaluation
  • Psychological Tests
  • Self Concept
  • Spain
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

The authors state that this research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (http://www.idi.mineco.gob.es/portal/site/MICINN. National Grants PSI2013-45118-R and PSI2017-86723-R were awarded to V.S, and Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (FPU2013/00830) awarded to N.M. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.