Factors Related to Teenage Dating Violence Prevention Programming in Schools

Abstract

The Children's Safety Network has identified teenage dating violence (TDV) as a public health problem and called for effective prevention programs to address the issue. This study used resource dependence theory to examine factors that relate to domestic violence shelters’ in-school efforts to prevent TDV. A national survey was sent to domestic violence shelters asking them to provide information on their TDV prevention efforts in schools. Seventy-seven percent of agencies indicated that they provide TDV programming within schools. Shelters’ engagement in community awareness campaigns predicted their TDV prevention efforts in schools. Shelters’ advocacy efforts, shelter size, and state law requiring TDV programming in the schools did not predict shelters’ TDV prevention efforts in schools. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications for school-based practitioners.