Study 1
Miller and colleagues (2015) evaluated the School Health Center Healthy Adolescents Relationships Program (SHARP) program at 11 school health centers (SHCs) in the California School Based Health Alliance in Northern California. Schools were randomized into clusters, and the final sample comprised 7 clusters: 4 intervention schools and 3 control schools. The intervention was delivered to patients aged 14 to 19 years old in grades 9 through 12 seeking care in any of the SHCs of the participating schools. Although the survey was delivered in both English and Spanish, all students opted for English.
Participants were recruited between September and December 2011 (n = 1062), and follow-up surveys were completed 3 months postintervention in 2013. Upon their first visit to the SHC during the timeframe of the study, patients were informed about the study, screened if interested in participating, and (if eligible) escorted to a private area to give consent and participate in the study. A total of 1011 patients completed baseline surveys during their first visits to the SHCs. The pool included students of both genders (females = 771, males = 240), and the majority were in 12th grade (n = 326). Nearly all of the students identified as nonwhite (5 percent white), with no significant differences between intervention and controls by race/ethnicity. The full sample included students who were Asian (15 percent), African American (27 percent), Hispanic or Latina/Latino (36 percent), Native American or Pacific Islander (5 percent), white (5 percent), and multiracial/other (11 percent). Survey data was collected via computer with questions read through headphones. Follow-up surveys were given at the SHCs at times that were convenient for the participating students (n = 939).
Staff at the intervention schools were trained on the SHARP intervention process and required to report the time allocated for reviewing the brochure with the patients during their first SHC visits. Students at the control schools (n = 516) were provided the usual care received at the SHCs. In instances in which there was a disclosure of abuse, schools followed traditional protocol, including referring patients to advocacy services.
Existing and researcher-developed scales were used to assess recognition of adolescent relationship abuse (ARA), recognition of sexual coercion, intentions to intervene, and knowledge and use of ARA resources.