PREVENTION IN TEEN DATING VIOLENCE: AN OVERVIEW.

Abstract

Teen dating violence affects between 8.2% and 30% of adolescents, leading to significant mental and physical health consequences including depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and increased risk of sexually transmitted infections. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on prevention interventions for teen dating violence, examining their effectiveness and exploring applications for clinical practice. Based on findings from a comprehensive systematic review of 28 studies, this review identifies several types of effective prevention approaches. School-based universal programs such as Green Dot, Me & You, and Dating Matters have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing violence perpetration and changing attitudes toward violence. Targeted interventions for high-risk populations, particularly adolescents with previous violence exposure, often show stronger effects than universal approaches. Brief interventions using motivational interviewing and personality theory-based approaches show promise for healthcare settings, while digital prevention programs offer scalability and accessibility advantages. The evidence reveals that interventions are generally more effective at changing attitudes and norms than directly modifying violent behaviors, suggesting that cognitive shifts may precede behavioral change. Programs show differential effectiveness across gender, previous violence exposure, and socioeconomic characteristics, highlighting the importance of tailored approaches. Healthcare provider training demonstrates significant improvements in knowledge and screening practices, though implementation barriers remain. Economic evaluation suggests that prevention investments can yield substantial returns, with one program showing a benefit-cost ratio of 62.9. Sustained effects remain challenging to achieve, with some programs requiring multiple years of implementation. The predominantly U.S.-based research raises questions about generalizability across different cultural contexts. Future research priorities include long-term outcome studies, implementation research, culturally adapted interventions for diverse populations, and economic evaluations. Effective teen dating violence prevention requires comprehensive, multi-level approaches that address individual, family, school, and community factors, with sustained commitment and resources for implementation.