Virtual Safe Dates program for pregnant and parenting youth
Preventing Intimate Partner Violence Among Teens Who Are Pregnant or Parenting
We're testing whether delivering the Safe Dates program online helps pregnant or parenting youth have less intimate partner violence than an online health education program.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Ages | 16 Years to 21 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | RTI International Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Durham, North Carolina) |
| Trial ID | NCT07226401 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot randomized program invites English-speaking youth aged 16–21 who are pregnant, the partner of a pregnant person, or parenting a child to attend ten virtual group sessions of the Safe Dates for Young Parents (SDYP) program or a comparison HealthSmart program on physical activity and nutrition. Participants complete surveys before the program and at follow-up points up to six months to measure feasibility, acceptability, and experiences of intimate partner violence. The SDYP curriculum is adapted from the evidence-based Safe Dates program with added pregnancy and parenting content and emphasis on help-seeking barriers. The trial tests whether virtual delivery can improve attendance and reduce IPV compared with an alternate health education program.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are English-speaking youth aged 16–21 who are currently pregnant, the partner of a pregnant person, or parenting a child with at least weekly contact, and who can provide informed consent and contact information.
Not a fit: Youth who are not pregnant or parenting, cannot read or speak English, cannot provide informed consent, or are already enrolled in another violence-prevention program may not benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, virtual delivery could increase access to an evidence-based IPV prevention program and reduce intimate partner violence, benefiting young parents and their children.
How similar studies have performed: The original in-person Safe Dates program has shown efficacy in preventing dating abuse among teens, but virtual delivery specifically for pregnant or parenting youth is novel and not widely tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Pregnant or parenting youth (Pilot RCT participants) * Aged 16-21 years. * Currently pregnant, partner of a pregnant person, or parenting a child (i.e., have contact with child at least once per week). * Able to speak and read English. * Willing and able to provide written informed consent. * Willing and able to provide adequate contact/locator information. Facilitators (IDI participants) * Aged 18 years or older. * Trained and served as a facilitator of the virtual SDYP intervention. * Able to speak and read English. * Able and willing to provide verbal informed consent. Exclusion Criteria (Pilot RCT participants): * Has any other condition that, in the opinion of the PI or their designee, would preclude informed consent, make study participation unsafe, complicate interpretation of study outcome data, or otherwise interfere with achieving the study objectives. * Currently participating or will be participating in a violence prevention education program in the next 3 months. * Previously participated in the Empowering Young Parents study.
Where this trial is running
Durham, North Carolina
- RTI International — Durham, North Carolina, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Marni Kan, PhD
- Email: mkan@rti.org
- Phone: 919-485-2756
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.