TY - JOUR
T1 - Mexican American adolescents' perceptions of dating violence programs
T2 - Recommendations for effective program design and implementation
AU - Williams, Lela
AU - Adams, Heidi L.
AU - Altamirano, Bianca N.
PY - 2012/7
Y1 - 2012/7
N2 - Although promising dating violence programs have emerged, little is known about their effectiveness for Mexican American youth, a vulnerable and understudied population. The purpose of this study was: (1) to offer culturally-grounded recommendations towards the development of effective Teen Dating Violence (TDV) programs and/or the modification of existing programs, and (2) to identify potential barriers to Mexican American youth's participation in TDV programs. Using the perspectives of Mexican American youth (15 to 17 years old) and a phenomenological study design, focus groups (N = 14) were conducted that were homogeneous by gender and level of acculturation (low/bicultural/high). Youth provided recommendations for program design (i.e. Design it to explore between-group and within-group cultural variability, Design it to be broad in scope, and Keep it positive) and program implementation (i.e. Make the program fun and non-threatening, and Involve peers, couples, and individuals) within the context of acculturation. Adolescents' suggestion of a program delivered in smaller groups that support sharing within peer relationships may stem from a desire for intimacy within close relationships - re-creating a sense of familismo. Teen dating violence programs best meets the needs of Mexican American adolescents by including programmatic components that are grounded in personalized cultural values.
AB - Although promising dating violence programs have emerged, little is known about their effectiveness for Mexican American youth, a vulnerable and understudied population. The purpose of this study was: (1) to offer culturally-grounded recommendations towards the development of effective Teen Dating Violence (TDV) programs and/or the modification of existing programs, and (2) to identify potential barriers to Mexican American youth's participation in TDV programs. Using the perspectives of Mexican American youth (15 to 17 years old) and a phenomenological study design, focus groups (N = 14) were conducted that were homogeneous by gender and level of acculturation (low/bicultural/high). Youth provided recommendations for program design (i.e. Design it to explore between-group and within-group cultural variability, Design it to be broad in scope, and Keep it positive) and program implementation (i.e. Make the program fun and non-threatening, and Involve peers, couples, and individuals) within the context of acculturation. Adolescents' suggestion of a program delivered in smaller groups that support sharing within peer relationships may stem from a desire for intimacy within close relationships - re-creating a sense of familismo. Teen dating violence programs best meets the needs of Mexican American adolescents by including programmatic components that are grounded in personalized cultural values.
KW - culture
KW - domestic violence
KW - latino
KW - prevention
KW - young people
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84863583346&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84863583346&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1473325012438633
DO - 10.1177/1473325012438633
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84863583346
SN - 1473-3250
VL - 11
SP - 395
EP - 411
JO - Qualitative Social Work
JF - Qualitative Social Work
IS - 4
ER -