Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The Efficacy of an Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Program with High-Risk Adolescent Girls: A Preliminary Test

  • Published:
Prevention Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study examined the efficacy of a brief (four session) intimate partner violence (IPV) prevention program (Building a Lasting Love, Langhinrichsen-Rohling et al. 2005) that was designed to reduce the relationship violence of predominantly African American inner-city adolescent girls (n = 72) who were receiving teen pregnancy services. These high-risk girls were randomly assigned to the prevention program (n = 39) or waitlist control (n = 33) conditions. Implementation fidelity was documented. As predicted, girls who successfully completed the program (n = 24) reported significant reductions in their perpetration of psychological abuse toward their baby’s father as compared to the control (n = 23) participants. They also reported experiencing significantly less severe IPV victimization over the course of the program. Preliminary analyses indicated that avoidant attachment to one’s partner may be associated with less program-related change. These findings support the contention that brief IPV prevention programs can be targeted to selected groups of high-risk adolescents.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ackard, D. M., & Neumark-Sztainer, D. (2002). Date violence and date rape among adolescents: Associations with disordered eating behaviors and psychological health. Child Abuse and Neglect, 26, 455–473.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ashley, O. S., & Foshee, V. A. (2005). Adolescent help-seeking for dating violence: Prevalence, sociodemographic correlates, and sources of help. Journal of Adolescent Health, 36, 25–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • August, G. J., Lee, S. S., Bloomquist, M. L., Realmuto, G. M., & Hektner, J. M. (2003). Dissemination of an evidence-based prevention innovation for aggressive children living in culturally diverse, urban neighborhoods: The Early Risers’ effectiveness study. Prevention Science, 4, 271–286.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Banyard, V. L., & Cross, C. (2008). Consequences of teen dating violence. Violence Against Women, 14, 998–1013.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bookwala, J., & Zdaniuk, B. (1998). Adult attachment styles and aggressive behavior within dating relationships. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 17, 84–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowlby, J. (1973). Attachment and loss: Vol. 2. Separation: Anxiety and anger. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brennan, K. A., Clark, C. L., & Shaver, P. R. (1998). Self-report measurement of adult romantic attachment: An integrative overview. In J. A. Simpson & W. S. Rholes (Eds.), Attachment theory and close relationships (pp. 46–76). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, R. M. (2002). The development of family violence as a field of study and contributors to family and community violence among low-income fathers. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 7, 499–511.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, J. H., & Brown, C. S. (2002). Marital therapy: Concepts and skills for effective practice. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole-Thomson Learning.

    Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control (CDC). (2006). Understanding teen dating abuse: Fact sheet. Located at www.cdc.gov/injury

  • Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (2008). Strategic direction for intimate partner violence prevention: Promoting respectful, nonviolent intimate partner relationships through individual, community, and societal change. Located at www.cdc.gov/injury

  • Cornelius, T. L., Sullivan, K. T., Wyngarden, N., & Milliken, J. C. (2009). Participation in prevention programs for dating violence: Beliefs about relationship violence and intention to participate. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 24, 1057–1078.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cox, R. B., & Shirer, K. A. (2009). Caring for my family: A pilot study of a relationship and marriage education program for low-income unmarried parents. Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 8, 343–364.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cunradi, C. B., Caetano, R., & Shafer, J. (2002). Socioeconomic predictors of intimate partner violence among white, black, and Hispanic couples in the United States. Journal of Family Violence, 17, 377–389.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dembo, R., & Walters, W. (2003). Innovative approaches to identifying and responding to the needs of high risk youth. Substance Use and Misuse, 38, 1713–1738.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Finkel, E. J., DeWall, C. N., Slotter, E. B., Oaten, M., & Foshee, V. A. (2009). Self-regulatory failure and intimate partner violence perpetration. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 97, 483–499.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fraley, R., & Shaver, P. (2000). Adult romantic attachment: Theoretical developments, emerging controversies, and unanswered questions. Review of General Psychology, 42, 132–154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fruzzetti, A. E., & Levensky, E. R. (2000). Dialectical behavior therapy with batterers: Rationale and procedures. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 7, 435–447.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gormley, B. (2005). An adult attachment theoretical perspective of gender symmetry in intimate partner violence. Sex Roles, 24, 1367–1386.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gottfredson, D., Kumpfer, K., Polizzi-Fox, D., Wilson, D., Puryear, V., Beatty, P., et al. (2006). The Strengthening Washington D.C. Families Project: A randomized effectiveness trial of family-based prevention. Prevention Science, 7, 57–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harrykissoon, D. S., Rickert, V. I., & Wiemann, C. M. (2002). Prevalence and patterns of intimate partner violence among adolescent mothers during the postpartum period. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 156, 325–330.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hazan, C., & Shaver, P. (1994). Attachment as an organizational framework for research on close relationships. Psychological Inquiry, 5, 1–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, F. M., Stuart, G. L., Gordon, K. C., & Moore, T. M. (2007). Predicting the use of aggressive conflict tactics in a sample of women arrested for domestic violence. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 24, 155–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Josephson, W. L., & Proulx, J. B. (2008). Violence in young adolescents’ relationships: A path model. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 23, 189–208.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Karney, B. R., Beckett, M. K., Collins, R. L., & Shaw, R. (2007). Adolescent romantic relationships as precursors of healthy adult marriages. Arlington, VA: Rand Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Langhinrichsen-Rohling, J. (2010). Controversies involving gender and intimate partner violence in the United States. Sex Roles, 62, 179–193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Langhinrichsen-Rohling, J., McGowan, M., & Turner, L. (2005). Building a Lasting Love with capitals. Unpublished curriculum, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL.

  • Linehan, M. M. (1993). Skills training manual for treating borderline personality disorder. New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mantooth, C. M., Geffner, R., Franks, D., & Patrick, J. (1987). Family preservation: A treatment manual for reducing couple violence. Tyler: University of Texas at Tyler Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Markman, H. J., Blumberg, S. L., & Stanley, S. M. (1989). Prevention and relationship enhancement program, PREP: Leader’s manual. Denver, CO: Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program.

    Google Scholar 

  • Markman, H. J., Stanley, S., & Blumberg, S. L. (1994). Fighting for your marriage: Positive steps for preventing divorce and preserving a lasting love. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marquart, B. S., Nannini, D. K., Edwards, R. W., Stanley, L. R., & Wayman, J. C. (2007). Prevalence of dating violence and victimization: Regional and gender differences. Adolescence, 42, 645–657.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mikulincer, M., Shaver, P. R., Bar-On, N., & Ein-Dor, T. (2010). The pushes and pulls of close relationships: Attachment insecurities and relational ambivalence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 98, 450–468.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Neidig, P. H., & Friedman, D. H. (1984). Spouse abuse: A treatment program for couples. Champaign, IL: Research Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Leary, K. D., & Slep, A. M. S. (2003). A dyadic longitudinal model of adolescent dating aggression. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 32, 314–327.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O’Leary, K. D., Neidig, P. H., & Heyman, R. E. (1995). Assessment and treatment of partner abuse: A synopsis for the legal profession. Albany Law Review, 58, 1215–1234.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pittman, A. L., Wolfe, D. A., & Wekerle, C. (2000). Strategies for evaluating dating violence prevention programs. Aggression, Maltreatment, & Trauma, 4, 217–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raiford, J. L., Wingood, G. M., & DiClemente, R. J. (2007). Prevalence, incidence, and predictors of dating violence: A longitudinal study of African American female adolescents. Journal of Women’s Health, 16, 822–832.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rohrbach, L. A., Dent, C. W., Skara, S., Sun, P., & Sussman, S. (2007). Fidelity of implementation in Project Towards No Drug Abuse (TND: A comparison of classroom teachers and program specialists). Prevention Science, 8, 125–132.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rohrbach, L. A., Gunning, M., Sun, P., & Sussman, S. (2010). The Project Toward No Drug Abuse (TND) dissemination trial: Implementation fidelity and immediate outcomes. Prevention Science, 11, 77–88.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schumacher, J. A., Feldbau-Kohn, S., Slep, A. M., & Heyman, R. E. (2001). Risk factors for male-to-female partner physical abuse. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 6, 281–352.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shechtman, Z., & Dvir, V. (2006). Attachment style as a predictor of behavior in group counseling with preadolescents. Group Dynamics, 10, 29–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silverman, J. G., Raj, A., Mucci, L. A., & Hathaway, J. E. (2001). Dating violence against adolescent girls and associated substance use, unhealthy weight control, sexual risk behavior, pregnancy, and suicidality. Journal of the American Medical Association, 285, 572–579.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, P. H., White, J. W., & Holland, L. J. (2003). A longitudinal perspective on dating violence among adolescent and college-age women. American Journal of Public Health, 93, 1104–1109.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sonis, J., & Langer, M. (2008). Risk and protective factors for recurrent intimate partner violence in a cohort of low-income inner-city women. Journal of Family Violence, 23, 529–538.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M. A., Hamby, S. L., Boney-McCoy, S., & Sugarman, D. B. (1996). The revised Conflict Tactics Scales: Development and preliminary psychometric data. Journal of Family Issues, 17, 283–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • The Multisite Violence Prevention Project. (2008). The Multisite Violence Prevention Project: Impact of a universal school-based violence prevention program on social-cognitive outcomes. Prevention Science, 9, 231–244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Epp, J. (1999). How to avoid marrying a jerk: The way to follow your heart without losing your mind. Premarital Interpersonal Training Choices Training Program. Medina: OH

  • Whitaker, D. J., Morrison, S., Lindquist, C., Hawkins, S. R., O’Neil, J. A., Nesius, A. M., et al. (2006). A critical review of interventions for the primary prevention of perpetration of partner violence. Aggression and Violence Behavior, 11, 151–166.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA

    Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling & Lisa A. Turner

Authors
  1. Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lisa A. Turner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling.

Additional information

This project was supported by Grant No. 2008-JL-FX-K012 awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice that was awarded to the first author. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. The authors would like to acknowledge numerous graduate and undergraduate psychology students, the personnel at the University of South Alabama, the teen mothers who were participants, and the staff at the Mobile Teen Center who contributed invaluably to this project.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Langhinrichsen-Rohling, J., Turner, L.A. The Efficacy of an Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Program with High-Risk Adolescent Girls: A Preliminary Test. Prev Sci 13, 384–394 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-011-0240-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-011-0240-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation