Strengthening Adolescent-Adult Networks to Reduce Youth Violence

University of Pittsburgh

Status: Completed

Conditions: Violence in Adolescence; Social Interaction; Coping Skills; Adolescent Behavior

Treatments: Behavioral: Job Readiness Training; Behavioral: Strengthening Connections for Change

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT05185453

1K23HD098277-01 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

STUDY21030140

Details and patient eligibility

About

This pilot community-partnered cluster-randomized trial will examine the feasibility and acceptability of a social network-based youth violence prevention program called Strengthening Connections for Change for youth ages 13-17 and their key adult supports.

Full description

This pilot community-partnered cluster-randomized trial will examine the feasibility and acceptability of a social network-based youth violence prevention program called Strengthening Connections for Change for youth ages 13-17 and their key adult supports. Set in four lower resource Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania neighborhoods, this study brings together youth ages 13-17 and their self-identified key adult supports to focus on leadership, strengthening intergenerational networks, community engagement, and violence prevention.

Enrollment: 74 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 13+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Youth:

• Participants must be ages 13-17 (inclusive)
• Participants must speak English

Adults

• Participants must be ages 18 or older
• Participants must speak English

Exclusion criteria

Youth:

• Not ages 13-17 (inclusive)
• Do not speak English

Adults

• Less than 18 years of age
• Do not speak English

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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74 participants in 2 patient groups

Strengthening Connections for Change

Experimental group

Description:

Strengthening Connections for Change uses a group discussion format with activities that explore identity, adolescent-adult relationships, social networks, and community engagement. Youth invite their self-identified key adult supports to jointly participate in programming and curriculum includes youth-focused, adult-focused and jointly focused activities designed to build leadership skills, enhance intergenerational networks, challenge attitudes towards violence and retaliation, and reduce violence involvement. Through 12 sessions (2 hours/session) delivered weekly, Strengthening Connections offers leadership development coupled with strengths-based youth violence prevention programming.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Strengthening Connections for Change

Job Readiness Training

Active Comparator group

Description:

Job Readiness Training uses a group discussion format to learn specific skills to prepare for employment including developing goals, seeking jobs, preparing for interviews, and so forth. Participants receive a 12 session job readiness training with linkages to businesses and employment opportunities. Discussions include a wide range of topics related to career exploration and job readiness.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Job Readiness Training