SPARE Program for Teen Dating Abuse

(SPARE Trial)

Overseen By Elizabeth C Tampke, Ph.D.

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Rhode Island Hospital

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 13

Duration: 7 weeks

88 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if this intervention (Social Skills, Problem Solving, emotion Regulation, and psycho-Education on Trauma: A Trauma-Informed Peer Aggression and Teen Dating Violence Prevention Program; SPARE) can treat peer aggression and prevent teen dating violence in preteens receiving intensive mental health services. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does receiving SPARE reduce proactive and reactive aggression at post-intervention and 3- and 9-month follow-ups? * Does receiving SPARE reduce positive attitude about TDV, prevent TDV behaviors, and improve mental health outcomes at post-intervention and 3- and 9-month follow-ups? Researchers will compare youth receiving SPARE to youth receiving treatment as usual to see if SPARE results in improved proactive and reactive aggression, TDV attitudes and behaviors, and mental health outcomes. Participants will: * Receive SPARE via group therapy incorporated into their daily programing at an intensive mental health program * Complete study questionnaires at program intake and discharge as well as at 3-month and 9-month follow-up assessments

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the SPARE treatment for teen dating abuse?

The Real Talk intervention, a similar one-session program, showed promise in reducing certain types of dating abuse, particularly cyber abuse, among adolescents. Additionally, interventions like Expect Respect support groups have been effective in increasing healthy relationship skills among at-risk youth. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the SPARE Program for Teen Dating Abuse safe for participants?

The Safe Dates program, which is similar to the SPARE Program, has been studied for its effects on teen dating violence and has shown positive results without any reported safety concerns. It has been effective in reducing various forms of dating violence, suggesting it is safe for participants. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

What makes the SPARE treatment unique for teen dating abuse?

The SPARE treatment is unique because it focuses on a comprehensive approach that includes education, community engagement, policy change, and social marketing to prevent teen dating abuse before it starts, unlike other treatments that may focus solely on intervention after abuse has occurred. ^{1 2 3 9 10}

Research Team

Elizabeth C Tampke, PhD

Principal Investigator

Rhode Island Hospital

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for preteens who are currently receiving intensive mental health services and struggle with peer aggression or have potential for teen dating violence. Participants must be able to attend group therapy sessions and complete questionnaires at the start, end, and follow-ups.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 11 and 13 years old.

Enrolled in CP

Ability to write and speak in English

Exclusion Criteria

Not applicable.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive SPARE intervention via group therapy incorporated into their daily programming at an intensive mental health program

7 weeks

10 sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

9 months

3 visits (in-person) at 3-month and 9-month follow-ups

Treatment Details

Interventions

• SPARE

Trial Overview The study tests if a program called SPARE (focusing on social skills, problem-solving, emotion regulation, and education about trauma) can reduce aggression among peers and prevent teen dating violence better than usual treatment alone.

Participant Groups

Group I: Intervention (SPARE) plus Treatment as Usual Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants assigned to this arm will receive SPARE in the form of group therapy in addition to treatment as usual at a child partial program.

Group II: Treatment As Usual Active Control 1 Intervention

Arm Description: Participants assigned to this arm will receive treatment as usual at a child partial program.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Rhode Island Hospital

Lead Sponsor

Trials

275

Recruited

71,400+

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Collaborator

Trials

902

Recruited

25,020,000+

Findings from Research

Teen dating abuse is a serious public health issue that can lead to academic struggles, risky behaviors, and increased risk of injury or death among adolescents.

The Start Strong Austin initiative, a collaboration between Dell Children's Medical Center and SafePlace, aims to prevent dating abuse through education, community engagement, and policy change, equipping school nurses with the necessary skills to support affected teens.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Teen dating abuse: recognition and interventions. Freeman, SA., Rosenbluth, B., Cotton, L.[2017]

The Teen Choices program, a 3-session online intervention, significantly reduced the odds of emotional and physical dating violence among high-risk teens, with adjusted odds ratios ranging from 0.45 to 0.63 at the 12-month follow-up.

Participants with a past-year history of dating violence experienced even greater benefits from the program, highlighting its effectiveness in addressing the needs of those most at risk.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Teen Dating Violence Prevention: Cluster-Randomized Trial of Teen Choices, an Online, Stage-Based Program for Healthy, Nonviolent Relationships. Levesque, DA., Johnson, JL., Welch, CA., et al.[2021]

The adapted Safe Dates curriculum significantly improved responses to anger, reduced gender stereotyping, and increased awareness of resources related to teen dating violence among 41 pregnant and/or parenting teens who participated in the program.

The study suggests that this intervention may effectively change attitudes and behaviors related to dating violence, but further research with a larger sample and control groups is needed to confirm its efficacy in reducing teen dating violence incidents.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A feasibility study to assess the effectiveness of safe dates for teen mothers. Herrman, JW., Waterhouse, JK.[2016]

A one-session motivational interview-style intervention called Real Talk was tested on 172 youth aged 15-19 to reduce dating abuse (DA) perpetration, showing significant reductions in cyber DA and psychological DA at 3 months, particularly among males.

While the intervention did not show overall effects for all types of DA, it demonstrated promising results for reducing cyber DA (RR 0.49) and psychological DA (RR 0.24) in the short term, suggesting it could be an effective approach in health care settings to address dating abuse among adolescents.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effects of a Health Care-Based Brief Intervention on Dating Abuse Perpetration: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Rothman, EF., Stuart, GL., Heeren, T., et al.[2021]

The Expect Respect support groups significantly improved healthy relationship skills among 144 at-risk middle and high school students, indicating the program's effectiveness in promoting positive relationship behaviors.

While overall levels of dating violence victimization and perpetration did not change for all participants, those with higher initial levels of victimization and perpetration showed a significant reduction by the end of the program.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Expect respect support groups: preliminary evaluation of a dating violence prevention program for at-risk youth. Ball, B., Tharp, AT., Noonan, RK., et al.[2014]

The Safe Dates Project demonstrated significant reductions in psychological, moderate physical, and sexual dating violence perpetration and victimization among adolescents over four follow-up periods, indicating its effectiveness as a school-based prevention program.

The program's success was consistent across genders and racial groups, and it was linked to changes in dating violence norms and increased awareness of community services, suggesting that these factors play a crucial role in its efficacy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assessing the effects of the dating violence prevention program "safe dates" using random coefficient regression modeling. Foshee, VA., Bauman, KE., Ennett, ST., et al.[2022]

The Safe Dates program showed positive effects on reducing dating violence immediately after the program, but these behavioral effects diminished by the 1-year follow-up.

However, important mediating factors such as improved dating violence norms, conflict management skills, and awareness of community resources remained significant even after a year, suggesting these aspects may need reinforcement to maintain overall program effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Safe Dates program: 1-year follow-up results. Foshee, VA., Bauman, KE., Greene, WF., et al.[2022]

The Families for Safe Dates program, a family-based teen dating abuse prevention initiative, significantly improved caregiver engagement factors such as perceived severity of dating abuse and communication skills with teens, based on a study involving 324 families over a 3-month period.

The program was also associated with a reduction in physical dating abuse victimization among teens, indicating its potential effectiveness in preventing dating abuse behaviors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assessing the effects of Families for Safe Dates, a family-based teen dating abuse prevention program. Foshee, VA., McNaughton Reyes, HL., Ennett, ST., et al.[2022]

Teens primarily seek help for dating violence from friends, who are expected to provide emotional support, while family members are seen as more likely to take action, such as reporting the abuse.

Despite believing that adults can be more effective in stopping abuse, teens are hesitant to seek help from them due to concerns about confidentiality and potential over-reaction, suggesting a need for interventions that enhance trust and communication between teens and adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sources of Help for Dating Violence Victims: A Qualitative Inquiry Into the Perceptions of African American Teens. Madkour, AS., Swiatlo, A., Talan, A., et al.[2022]

The study outlines 9 principles of effective prevention programs for intimate partner violence (IPV) among adolescents, emphasizing their importance in developing successful interventions.

The Safe Dates program is highlighted as a model that successfully incorporates all 9 principles, but its effectiveness may vary across different contexts and diverse groups, suggesting the need for tailored approaches in IPV prevention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Promising practices in the prevention of intimate partner violence among adolescents. De Grace, A., Clarke, A.[2019]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Teen dating abuse: recognition and interventions. [2017]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Teen Dating Violence Prevention: Cluster-Randomized Trial of Teen Choices, an Online, Stage-Based Program for Healthy, Nonviolent Relationships. [2021]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A feasibility study to assess the effectiveness of safe dates for teen mothers. [2016]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effects of a Health Care-Based Brief Intervention on Dating Abuse Perpetration: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial. [2021]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Expect respect support groups: preliminary evaluation of a dating violence prevention program for at-risk youth. [2014]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assessing the effects of the dating violence prevention program "safe dates" using random coefficient regression modeling. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Safe Dates program: 1-year follow-up results. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assessing the effects of Families for Safe Dates, a family-based teen dating abuse prevention program. [2022]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sources of Help for Dating Violence Victims: A Qualitative Inquiry Into the Perceptions of African American Teens. [2022]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Promising practices in the prevention of intimate partner violence among adolescents. [2019]