Examining the Effectiveness of the myPlan App to Prevent Dating Violence With Adolescents

Examining the Effectiveness of the myPlan App to Prevent Dating Violence With Adolescents

Intimate partner violence (IPV), including violence in teen dating relationships [teen dating violence (TDV)], is a common and a serious threat to adolescent health, safety, and well-being. TDV may include psychological/emotional abuse, sexual harassment or coercion, stalking (including cyberstalking), and physical or sexual violence. For many, the first experience of violence is in a dating or casual relationship with a partner or acquaintance during adolescence. Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine the effectiveness of an adapted version of the myPlan app for adolescents (ages 15-17 years) to prevent and respond to TDV. myPlan is an app available for mobile download or by web browser that interactively assists users to assess the health and safety of user's intimate relationship, receive personalized strategies on how build healthier relationships, stay safe and healthy while navigating an unsafe relationship, and get connected to support and resources.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Between the ages of 15-17 years old
• Lives in the United States
• Reports current or past 6 months physical violence, sexual violence, emotional abuse, verbal abuse, or staking (including cyberstalking or electronic aggression) by a dating/casual/intimate/ex-intimate partner
• Speaks/reads English
• Has access to a safe device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, or computer) with internet access and comfortable downloading an app or using the internet
• Has a safe contact phone number or email address

Exclusion Criteria:

• Younger than 15 years of age
• Older than 17 years of age
• Does not report current or past 6 months abuse from a dating/casual/intimate/ex- intimate partner
• Does not speak/read English
• Does not have access to a safe device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, or computer) with internet access
• Does not have a safe contact phone number or email address