Abstract
Dating abuse among adolescents is an ongoing concern with severe, multifaceted long- term effects. Since dating abuse can start early and last a lifetime, research evaluating free, accessible, and effective prevention is needed. The current study examined the Love is Not Abuse program's impact on and influence of adolescents' conflict resolution skills, attitudes toward dating abuse, and factual knowledge. Participants (N = 70) ranging in age from 18 to 24 years old enrolled at the University of La Verne took part in three Love is Not Abuse hour-long sessions to receive information about dating abuse and engage in group discussions and activities related to defining dating abuse, identifying the pattern of abuse, and exploring technology abuse. A self-report survey was administered at three points. The results of the study found that the Love is Not Abuse program was effective in improving college students' knowledge about dating abuse (F (2, 68) = 15.31, p < .001), attitudes toward dating abuse (F (2, 68) = 13.495, p < .001), and conflict resolution skills (F (2, 68) = 5.285, p < .001). Post-test change of students' knowledge about dating abuse (Adj. R2 = 0.012, F (3, 66) = 1.28, p = .29), attitudes toward dating abuse (Adj. R2 = -.01, F (3, 66) = .764, p = .518), and conflict resolution skills (Adj. R2 = -.028, F (3, 66) = .369, p = .775) was not associated with participants' gender role ideology or attachment style. The findings suggest that college students' knowledge, attitudes, and skills can significantly improve following a brief group-based dating abuse prevention program regardless of their gender role or attachment style.