A Review of Social Emotional Learning Based Prevention Programs for Intimate Partner Violence: Implications for an Innovative Prevention in Higher Education

Background and Purpose: Multilevel prevention approaches are important to address various causes of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) among college students. This study aims to understand the characteristics of emerging IPV prevention programs that have utilized a social emotional learning (SEL) component and to generate implications for future IPV prevention program design.

Method of study: This scoping review following the PRISMA guidelines selected 15 articles for inclusion. Articles concerned IPV prevention programs containing one or more of the five SEL components in their intervention or findings.

Results: Based on definitions of SEL, we found that all IPV prevention programs (n=15) addressed relationships skills, social awareness (n=11), self-awareness (n=11), self-management (n=8), and responsible decision making (n=5). Four studies included all five SEL components. Most programs with a SEL component targeted general student samples, used various theoretical frameworks, and measured outcomes of IPV awareness, relationship skills, and/or IPV.

Conclusions and Implications: Although SEL components were inconsistently incorporated into IPV prevention programs, they contributed to behavioral changes. Further research and practice in higher education is necessary to understand the effect of the holistic or partial use of SEL components in preventing IPV. This review also demonstrates that supportive policies for SEL are warranted.