Me & You-Tech: A socio-ecological solution to teen dating violence for the digital age.

ABSTRACT The goal of thisyear Fast Track STTR is to develop and evaluate a multi levelyouthparentschoolInternet based dating violenceDVprevention programMe andampYou TechMYTforthgrade middle school studentsByth gradeapproximatelyof students will have engaged in a dating relationshipOf thesealmost one third will have perpetrated physical DV and almost two thirds will have perpetrated emotional DVYouth exposed to DV are more likely to perform poorly in schoolexperience difficulties in future relationshipsparticipate in adult violenceand experience depressionsuicidal ideationbullyingsubstance useand risky sexual behaviorMany U Sstates are required by law to provide DV educationHoweveryouth exposure to DV educationin particulareffective programsis minimal and the few programs available are confronted with challenges of school based barriers to fidelitytrainingand resourcesThe study comprisesphases andspecific aimsPhaseDevelop the theoreticallyand empiricallybased MYT prototype and test feasibilityMosPhaseSpecific AimsConduct a content analysis of existing Me andampYou and SSS intervention matrices to identify required core contentmethodsand strategies for MYT designyouthparentand school level componentsConduct review of MYT concepts and wireframes to test acceptability and perceived feasibility for use in the context of the school by SchoolYouthand Parent Advisory Groups to inform MYT designyouthparentand school level componentsDevelop MYT design documents and develop the prototype including alpha testingTest usability of MYT prototypeEvaluatepilot testthe MYT prototype for feasibility and perceived value in school and home settings and review with distribution collaboratorETR Incfor optimal specifications for disseminationDisseminate PhasefindingsPhasereport and peer reviewed publicationsPhaseDevelop MYT informed from Phaseand conduct a RCT to evaluate impact of MYTMosPhaseSpecific AimsRevise MYT design documentsbased on Phasedataand obtain advisory group sign offDevelop the full theoreticallyand empirically based MYT programTest full MYT program functionality and contentalpha testand usabilityConduct a RCT of MYTthgrade studentsninHouston middle schoolsReview MYT distribution plans with collaborator ETR IncDisseminate Phasefindings of Phasereport and peer reviewed publicationsTheprimary hypotheses areCompared to those not receiving MYTyouth who access MYT will demonstrate significantlyReduced DVemotionalphysicalor sexualperpetrationReduced DVemotionalphysicalor sexualvictimizationandImproved psychosocial determinants related to healthy unhealthy dating relationshipse gknowledgeskillsself efficacyattitudes and normsgender role beliefsperceived parental and school factorsMYT addresses a call for innovative theory based programs that use a social ecological approach to DVinvolving youththeir familyand their school while leveraging internet based channels to optimize program fidelity and minimizing trainingresourcesand costs that limit adoption and scale up in school settingsThis project is founded on previous RCTs by this experienced collaborative investigative team on developing and testing successful middle school multi component interventionsMe andampYou Building Healthy RelationshipsMe andampYoua DV curriculum comprising classroom and computer based lessons for youthparental child home based activitiesand school staff trainingsresulted in reduced DV perpetration and positive psychosocial outcomes related to norms towards violenceattitudes towards sextingconflict resolution skillsThe Secret of Seven StonesSSSan Internet based pregnancy prevention game for parents and youth resulted in enhanced parent youth communication regarding healthy relationships through text based behavioral cuesBased on this strong empirical precedenta completely Internet based version of Me andampYou is proposed that leverages the strengths of these schooland home based approachesThe specific aims of this study are toMYT is significant because it addresses an important public health challenge to build youth skills for respectful dating relationships void of violenceto train school staff in providing supportive and protective environments to achieve thisand to enhance parent youth discussion to reinforce the importance of healthy relationshipsMYT is innovative because it will provide evidence in using an integrated multi component socio ecological approach to enhancing healthy relationships that uses a scalable technology based channel to overcome the barriers of fidelityresourcesand cost of dissemination in school settings and provides a scalable solution to what is a dearth of readily disseminated evidence based TDV programs and will provide PROJECT NARRATIVE Victimization and perpetration of teen dating violencephysicalemotionalsexualand cyber relatedrepresents a public health challengeespecially considering that almost one third ofth graders will have perpetrated physical DV and almost two thirds will have perpetrated emotional DVAnnual costs of intimate partner violence are estimated at $billion after adjustment for inflationThis study will contribute to our understanding of using a coordinated online program that trains youththeir parentsand their school staff in strategies to lower teen dating violence behaviors and to encourage a familyand school based culture of zero tolerance for dating violence behaviors