title: Does an evidence-based healthy relationships program for 9th graders show similar effects for 7th and 8th graders? Results from 57 schools randomized to intervention.
abstract: Integrating social and emotional learning (SEL) programming throughout curricula to support the development of healthy behaviors and prevent violence is critical for a comprehensive approach to school health. This study used a post-test comparison design to evaluate a healthy relationships program for eighth grade students that applies a SEL approach. The program was adapted from the Fourth R, an evidence-based program for ninth graders, but matches the curriculum and developmental context for eighth graders. Surveys were collected post-intervention from 1012 students within 57 schools randomized to intervention or control conditions. Multivariate multilevel analysis accounted for the nested nature of students within schools. There were significant group differences on three of four outcomes following intervention, including improved knowledge about violence, critical thinking around the impact of violence, and identification of more successful coping strategies. There was no group difference on general acceptance of violence. Overall, students learned relevant information and strategies and were able to apply that knowledge to demonstrate critical thinking, suggesting that adapting an evidence-based approach for use with younger students provided similar benefits. These findings build a case for 2 years of consecutive evidence-based healthy relationships programming in grades 8 and 9, consistent with best practice guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario, London N6A 5C2, Canada, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1V6, Canada, Department of Sociology and Legal Studies, St. Jerome's University in the University of Waterloo, Waterloo N6A 5C2, Canada, CAMH Centre for Prevention Science, London N6G 4X8, Canada and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3G3, Canada ccrooks@uwo.ca.
authors.forename: C V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Crooks
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario, London N6A 5C2, Canada, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1V6, Canada, Department of Sociology and Legal Studies, St. Jerome's University in the University of Waterloo, Waterloo N6A 5C2, Canada, CAMH Centre for Prevention Science, London N6G 4X8, Canada and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3G3, Canada.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario, London N6A 5C2, Canada, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1V6, Canada, Department of Sociology and Legal Studies, St. Jerome's University in the University of Waterloo, Waterloo N6A 5C2, Canada, CAMH Centre for Prevention Science, London N6G 4X8, Canada and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3G3, Canada.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Broll
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario, London N6A 5C2, Canada, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1V6, Canada, Department of Sociology and Legal Studies, St. Jerome's University in the University of Waterloo, Waterloo N6A 5C2, Canada, CAMH Centre for Prevention Science, London N6G 4X8, Canada and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3G3, Canada.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zwarych
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario, London N6A 5C2, Canada, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1V6, Canada, Department of Sociology and Legal Studies, St. Jerome's University in the University of Waterloo, Waterloo N6A 5C2, Canada, CAMH Centre for Prevention Science, London N6G 4X8, Canada and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3G3, Canada.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario, London N6A 5C2, Canada, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1V6, Canada, Department of Sociology and Legal Studies, St. Jerome's University in the University of Waterloo, Waterloo N6A 5C2, Canada, CAMH Centre for Prevention Science, London N6G 4X8, Canada and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3G3, Canada Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario, London N6A 5C2, Canada, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1V6, Canada, Department of Sociology and Legal Studies, St. Jerome's University in the University of Waterloo, Waterloo N6A 5C2, Canada, CAMH Centre for Prevention Science, London N6G 4X8, Canada and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 3G3, Canada.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Wolfe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control