Clinical trial NCT04095429: Expect Respect Middle School Randomized Trial
Official title: Expect Respect Middle School: Preventing Serious and Lethal Violence Among Youth With Prior Violence Exposure
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Adolescent Behavior
Violence in Adolescence
Group, Peer
Violence, Non-accidental
Violence, Sexual
Violence, Physical
Violence, Domestic
Emotional Abuse
Coping Skills
Communication, Personal
Lead sponsor: University of Pittsburgh
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
First posted: 2019-09-19
Enrollment: 635
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 11
Maximum age (years): 15
Standard ages: CHILD
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: This cluster-randomized school-based study will examine the effectiveness of a support group-based teen dating violence (TDV) and sexual violence (SV) prevention program on the primary prevention of serious (and potentially lethal) violence perpetration among middle school students (both male and female-identified) already exposed to violence. The study will be located in western Pennsylvania across 36 middle schools (anticipated number of 'clusters'), randomized either to receive the "Expect Respect" program (i.e., intervention schools, n=18) or to an enhanced usual care condition (n=18 schools).
Primary purpose: PREVENTION

Brief summary: This cluster-randomized school-based study will examine the effectiveness of a teen dating violence (TDV) and sexual violence (SV) prevention program called Expect Respect for preventing serious violence perpetration among middle school students.

Detailed description: This cluster-randomized controlled school-based study will examine the effectiveness of a support group-based teen dating violence (TDV) and sexual violence (SV) prevention program on the primary prevention of serious (and potentially lethal) violence perpetration among middle school students (both male and female-identified) who have prior exposure to trauma and violence. Expect Respect gender-specific support groups are for youth with prior history of exposure to violence including witnessing domestic violence, loss of loved one to homicide, TDV, and SV.

Expect Respect is a theory and research-informed program intended to alter norms condoning violence and rigid gender expectations that foster violence perpetration, promote bystander intervention, and reduce TDV/SV perpetration. Implemented by trained facilitators, the 24-session curriculum focuses on gender equity and respect, recognizing abuse and impact on self and others, regulating emotions, skills for healthy relationships, and becoming active proponents of safe and healthy relationships.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Participants must be in grades 7-8
* Participants must be referred by school personnel
* Participants must speak English

Exclusion Criteria:

* Not in 7th- 8th grade
* Not referred to the group by school personnel
* Does not speak English

Primary outcomes:
measure: Change from baseline in self-reported recent (past 3 months) violence perpetration at End of Program
timeFrame: End of program (average 24-30 weeks after baseline, Time 2 - primary endpoint)
measure: Change from baseline in self-reported recent (past 3 months) violence perpetration at one year after baseline
timeFrame: One year after baseline (Time 3)
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Change from baseline in frequency of weapon carrying at End of Program
timeFrame: End of program (average 24-30 weeks after baseline, Time 2 - primary endpoint)
measure: Change from baseline in frequency of weapon carrying at one year after baseline
timeFrame: One year after baseline (Time 3)
measure: Change from baseline in positive bystander behaviors at End of Program
timeFrame: End of program (average 24-30 weeks after baseline, Time 2 - primary endpoint)
measure: Change from baseline in positive bystander behaviors at one year after baseline
timeFrame: One year after baseline (Time 3)
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Pittsburgh
country: United States
facility: University of Pittsburgh
state: Pennsylvania
Study officials:
affiliation: University of Pittsburgh
name: Elizabeth Miller, MD, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: