Discovery Dating in the Literature

Studies done on the results attained with Discovery Dating show the curriculum is  evidence-informed. The studies can be found in the following peer-reviewed journals

  • Social Work, Vol. 62, No. 3: 251-258, 2017
  • Journal of Family Social Work, 15: 19-33, 2012

Read on for the abstracts describing each of the studies. 

Assessing the Impact of a Healthy Relationships Curriculum on
   Native American Adolescents

by Jennifer G. Schanen, Alice Skenandore, Beverly Scow, and Janet Hagen

Abstract: This study suggests Discovery Dating, a healthy relationships curriculum, as one way of preventing teenage pregnancy, domestic violence, and sexual assault. This study seeks to determine what theory of change best aligns with Discovery Dating, by assessing the curriculum’s impact on adolescent resilience, self-efficacy, and personal agency, which are suggested as protective factors against teenage pregnancy, domestic violence, and sexual assault. Authors describe the implementation of the Discovery Dating program in a western U.S. tribal middle school during the 2011–2012 school year. The resilience, self-efficacy, and personal agency outcomes of seventh grade students who received the Discovery Dating curriculum were investigated through pre- and posttest analysis and compared with the outcomes of an eighth grade comparison group that did not receive theDiscovery Dating curriculum. Findings suggest that Discovery Dating affects Native American middle school students’ sense of personal agency.

Social Work, Vol. 62, No. 3: 251-258, 2017

Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention in a Rural Native American Community

by Janet W. Hagen, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, and 
Alice H. Skenandore, Beverly M. Scow, Jennifer G. Schanen,
& Frieda Hugo Clary of Wise Women Gathering Place

Abstract: Nationally, the United States has a higher rate of teen pregnancy than any other industrialized nation. Native American youth have a higher birth rate than the national rate. A full-year healthy relationship program, based on Native American teachings, traditions, and cultural norms, was delivered to all eighth-grade students at a rural tribal school and a new group of eighth graders every year for 5 years, to teach healthy relationships and encourage abstinence. This article summarizes the Discovery Dating curriculum and compares the participants in the healthy relationship program to the comparison group, at the end of 5 years, in regards of the number of pregnancies as well as self-reported sexual behavior. The comparison group comprises students in the same community who attended a public middle school, rather than the tribal middle school, but the same public high school. All students had a similar age, socioeconomic status, culture, and ethnicity. Students who received the healthy relationship program (treatment group) had fewer pregnancies than the students who did not receive the healthy relationship program (comparison group). Of those who reported that they were sexually active, the students who received the healthy relationship program (treatment group) reported higher condom use than the students who did not receive the healthy relationship program (comparison group).

Journal of Family Social Work, 15: 19-33, 2012