Assessing the Get Real about Violence curriculum: process and outcome evaluation results and implications

Guided largely by the theory of reasoned action, the Get Real about Violence curriculum attempts to reduce verbal and physical aggression, as well as behaviors that encourage verbal or physical aggression, such as watching a fight and spreading rumors about a fight that is going to happen. This 12-lesson curriculum was evaluated using a pretest-posttest control group design. Participants were 293 seventh-grade boys and girls enrolled in two public junior high schools in a moderate size Midwestern city. The curriculum had its greatest effect on verbal aggression, where the experimental school outperformed the control school on three of four variables, including behavior, behavioral intent, and attitudes. The experimental school also outperformed the control school in several other instances, including intent to watch a fight, intent to spread rumors about a fight, and beliefs and opinions about fighting and violence in general. Implications for the Get Real about Violence curriculum, and for youth violence prevention and intervention programs are discussed.