Fourth R Curriculum
Solution types
Psychoeducation
Problems addressed
Interpersonal violence or injuries
Drug abuse
Sexual violence
Effectiveness

No Effect

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No Effect

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Life periods served
Teenagers (14 to 17 years)
Where the program was applied
Education establishment
Country of application
Canada
Description

This is a school health education program based on interactive lessons. The aim is to reduce intimate partner violence, bullying, youth violence, risky sexual behavior, and the use of psychoactive substances.
The curriculum consists of seven modules with 21 themes worked on in small group activities, each lasting 75 minutes.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation showed that the program had small but statistically significant effects on reducing dating violence and sexual harassment/aggression victimization. However, there was no significant effect on sexual harassment/aggression perpetration, peer violence perpetration or victimization, sexual activity, substance use, or prosocial attitudes [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Wolfe, D. A., Crooks, C., Jaffe, P., Chiodo, D., Hughes, R., Ellis, W., Stitt, L. & Donner, A. (2009). A school-based program to prevent adolescent dating violence: A cluster randomized trial. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 163(8), 692–699. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpediatrics.2009.69

[2] Crooks, C. V., Scott, K., Ellis, W., & Wolfe, D. A. (2011). Impact of a universal school-based violence prevention program on violent delinquency: Distinctive benefits for youth with maltreatment histories. Child abuse & neglect, 35(6), 393-400.

[3] Cissner, A. B., Ayoub L. H. (2014). Building Healthy Teen Relationships: An Evaluation of the Fourth R Curriculum with Middle School Students in the Bronx. Washington, D.C.: National Criminal Justice Reference Service.

Information source