The Youth Relationships Project (YRP) was developed to address the emotional, behavioral, and cognitive factors that strengthen the expression of positive interactions with dating partners and reduce the probability of power-assertive and violent behavior. The study involves an experimental design with random assignment. Youths (N = 400; 14-16 years old) from child protective services are assigned to either the intervention (YRP) or to a control condition (standard services). Intervention is delivered in small (N=12) co-ed groups over 18 weekly two-hour sessions and consists of a) understanding and awareness of gender-based violence, and b) skill development and social action (e.g., personal responsibility; communication; community participation).

Specific Objectives of this study include: (1) evaluating the pattern of diversion of target behaviors associated with violence in adolescent relationships relative to control group and sensitive to gender differences, (2) Evaluating the extent of growth in relationship skills and relationship satisfaction associated with positive, nonviolent adolescent relationships relative to control group and sensitive to gender differences; and (3) Estimating the profile of risk of violence in relationships by evaluating whether (and if so, when) violence occurs, as well as the risk of violence occurring in each follow-up period spanning two years (i.e., survival analysis).

This study pertains to the federal priority of illness prevention for groups at risk, using early intervention strategies to promote awareness of and alternatives to violence in relationships. This is the first systematic attempt to prevent relationship violence among persons who are at greatest risk of showing such behavior, or being the victim of such behavior, in young adulthood. Success of the program will be determined not only by the absence of violence/abuse, but also in terms of growth in positive relationship indicators.