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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04095429

Expect Respect Middle School Randomized Trial

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Adolescent Behavior Behavior Coitus Communication Communication, Personal Coping Skills Emotional Abuse Group, Peer Sexual Behavior Violence in Adolescence Violence, Domestic Violence, Non-accidental Violence, Physical Violence, Sexual

Age range

11 year–15 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

Expect Respect

Behavioral

Expect Respect is a 24 session curriculum designed to support middle school students to increase skills in emotion regulation, relationship skills, communication, and positive bystander intervention behaviors.

Enhanced Usual Care

Behavioral

Participants will be connected via a warm referral to available individual behavioral health supports and resources in their community that can support them.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change from baseline in self-reported recent (past 3 months) violence perpetration at End of Program

    Time frame: End of program (average 24-30 weeks after baseline, Time 2 - primary endpoint)

    Summary score of violence perpetration likely to result in serious injury or death (physical and sexual TDV - 4 items, SV - 5 items, threats with a weapon - 1 item, and physical fighting - 1 item), calculated as one point for each behavior endorsed and then summed (possible range: 0-11).

  2. Change from baseline in self-reported recent (past 3 months) violence perpetration at one year after baseline

    Time frame: One year after baseline (Time 3)

    Summary score of violence perpetration likely to result in serious injury or death (physical and sexual TDV - 4 items, SV - 5 items, threats with a weapon - 1 item, and physical fighting - 1 item), calculated as one point for each behavior endorsed and then summed (possible range: 0-11).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change from baseline in frequency of weapon carrying at End of Program

    Time frame: End of program (average 24-30 weeks after baseline, Time 2 - primary endpoint)

    Number of times carrying a weapon in past 30 days (self-reported)

  2. Change from baseline in frequency of weapon carrying at one year after baseline

    Time frame: One year after baseline (Time 3)

    Number of times carrying a weapon in past 30 days (self-reported)

  3. Change from baseline in positive bystander behaviors at End of Program

    Time frame: End of program (average 24-30 weeks after baseline, Time 2 - primary endpoint)

    Past 3 month positive bystander behavior in participants when witnessing disrespectful and harmful behavior among peers comparing baseline and follow up summary scores. Participants report if they have witnessed each of 9 peers' abusive behaviors in the past 3 months and if witnessed, how they responded (whether they intervened to interrupt the behavior, provided support to the person being harmed). One point is given for reporting at least 1 positive intervention for each abusive behavior witnessed; points are added to create a summary score (possible range: 0-9).

  4. Change from baseline in positive bystander behaviors at one year after baseline

    Time frame: One year after baseline (Time 3)

    Past 3 month positive bystander behavior in participants when witnessing disrespectful and harmful behavior among peers comparing baseline and follow up summary scores. Participants report if they have witnessed each of 9 peers' abusive behaviors in the past 3 months and if witnessed, how they responded (whether they intervened to interrupt the behavior, provided support to the person being harmed). One point is given for reporting at least 1 positive intervention for each abusive behavior witnessed; points are added to create a summary score (possible range: 0-9).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Pittsburgh

Other

Collaborators

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Registry information

Official study title

Expect Respect Middle School: Preventing Serious and Lethal Violence Among Youth With Prior Violence Exposure

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2022
First posted
Sep 19, 2019
Registry last updated
Sep 9, 2022

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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