Athletic coaches as violence prevention advocates

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• Violence Prevention

Background:

• Adolescent relationship abuse (ARA) presents a significant public health challenge.
• The Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM) program is an evidence-based intervention designed to prevent ARA by training coaches to deliver violence prevention messages to male athletes.
• Evaluating the impact of such programs on coaches is crucial for refining youth health promotion strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the acceptability and impact of the Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM) program on coaches implementing adolescent relationship abuse prevention strategies.
• To explore coaches' attitudes, confidence, and behavioral changes related to intervening in and discussing abusive behaviors.

Main Methods:

• A two-armed cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted in 16 high schools.
• Coaches (n=176) completed baseline and postseason surveys to measure attitudes and confidence.
• Interviews with intervention coaches (n=36) explored program acceptability, feasibility, and impact.

Main Results:

• Intervention coaches reported increased confidence in intervening in abusive behaviors and greater bystander intervention compared to controls.
• Coaches in the intervention group engaged in more frequent violence-related discussions with athletes and peers.
• Coaches perceived the CBIM program as easy to implement and valuable for their athletes.

Conclusions:

• The findings highlight the positive attitudinal and behavioral changes in coaches implementing ARA prevention programs.
• Coaches can gain confidence and adopt behaviors to discourage adolescent relationship abuse.
• The program's feasibility and perceived value suggest potential for long-term adoption and sustainability in youth settings.