Adolescents’ Intentions to Use Relationship Interventions by Demographic Group: Before and After a Relationship Education Curriculum

Abstract

Although relationship education programs have been shown to be effective in promoting healthy relationships, participants are typically not from diverse backgrounds. Adolescent attitudes towards these programs and services were examined both before and after participation in a youth relationship education curriculum, Relationship Smarts Plus (RS+). The sample consisted of 1845 adolescents aged 11–18, 58% African American, 42% European American, 54.4% female, 45.6% male, from diverse family structures. Attitudes differed significantly between demographic groups at Time 1, where females and African Americans held more favorable attitudes. After RS+, attitudes significantly improved, on average, for European American males and African American females.