Abstract: Are Dating, Intimate Partner, and Sexual Violence Perpetration Prevention Programs for Boys and Men Effective? Findings from a Systematic Review (Society for Social Work and Research 23rd Annual Conference - Ending Gender Based, Family and Community Violence)

Schedule:

Friday, January 18, 2019: 8:00 AM

Union Square 14 Tower 3, 4th Floor (Hilton San Francisco)

* noted as presenting author

Laurie M. Graham, MSW, Royster Fellow, Doctoral Student, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

Venita Embry, MPH, Doctoral Student, Research Assistant, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

Belinda-Rose Young, MSPH, CPH, Doctoral Student, Research Assistant, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

Rebecca Macy, PhD, L. Richardson Preyer Distinguished Chair for Strengthening Families Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

Sandra Martin, PhD, Associate Dean for Research, Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

H. Luz McNaughton Reyes, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

Kathryn E. Moracco, PhD, Research Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

Background: Dating, intimate partner, and sexual violence are detrimental, pervasive social issues. Given their harmful effects, learning how to effectively prevent their occurrence is critically important for individuals, families, and communities. This systematic review synthesizes details from peer-reviewed articles of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluate dating, intimate partner, and sexual violence perpetration prevention programs designed for boys and men. Given that boys and men are often the perpetrators of such violence, programs aimed at this population appear to be an especially promising focus for prevention. This review aims to provide details on both program characteristics and programs’ effects for preventing sexual, dating, and intimate partner violence perpetration.

Methods: We systematically searched six electronic databases, two systematic reviews, and reference lists of included articles for articles that: were published in English from 1997-2017; used an experimental design; evaluated a primary/secondary perpetration prevention program for delivery to boys/men exclusively; and measured effects on dating, intimate partner, or sexual violence perpetration. Database searches yielded 4784 articles for potential inclusion. Following reference deduplication and systematic title, abstract, and full-text review steps, nine articles that discuss eight distinct studies met our inclusion criteria. We systematically extracted data on research aims; violence type(s) addressed; study design; participant characteristics; program details; analyses and findings; and study strengths, limitations, and conclusions.

Results: Seven studies were conducted in the United States in high school or college/university settings. One study was conducted in a conflict-affected community in Côte d’Ivoire. Six prevention programs were assessed: Coaching Boys into Men (k = 3), The Men’s Program (k = 2), Men’s Discussion Groups (k = 1), RealConsent (k = 1), the Men’s Project (k = 1), and an unnamed program administered via videotape (k = 1). Programs were delivered primarily in person to groups of boys/men (k = 7). One program (RealConsent) was delivered online to individual participants (k = 1). The number of program sessions ranged from 1 to 16 (Mdn = 4.0, M = 6.3, SD = 6.0). For studies with a reported session length (k = 7), length of individual program sessions ranged from 15 to 75 minutes (Mdn = 50.0, M = 43.6, SD = 23.8). Programs covered a variety of topics (e.g., masculinity, consent) and included a range of activities (e.g., discussion, video). Five studies assessed intervention effects on sexual violence perpetration, and three assessed intervention effects on dating/intimate partner violence perpetration. Four studies were found to significantly decrease sexual or dating/intimate partner violence perpetration.

Implications: Research evidence shows that some programs designed for delivery to boys and men may lead to decreases in sexual or dating/intimate partner violence perpetration. Overall, however, scant research exists on the effectiveness of such prevention programs in decreasing perpetration. This review highlights the critical need for more rigorous research in this area that includes diverse samples, mediation analyses, and measurement of behavioral outcomes. Such research will help the field better understand “what works.” We will discuss the implications of the review findings for social work research and practice.