UNC Counseling and Wellness Services: Development of a Curriculum to Promote Healthy Relationships and Prevent Intimate Partner Violence Among Undergraduate Students at UNC-CH

Background: Research shows that as much as 82% of college students report perpetrating verbal abuse against a dating partner and 21% report perpetrating physical abuse. Experience of dating abuse has been associated with a number of negative health outcomes including physical injury, illegal drug use, depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. The Counseling and Wellness Services (CWS) Capstone team at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) aimed to address this public health problem of dating abuse among college students by developing a curriculum for preventing intimate partner violence (IPV), specifically among undergraduate students at UNC-CH. Methods: Our Capstone project included a review of the literature to assess predictors of IPV and evidence-based interventions to prevent IPV. We conducted formative research on healthy dating relationships through focus groups and interviews with UNC-CH undergraduate students, UNC-CH staff, and staff members at neighboring universities (Duke, Elon, NC State). Using findings from the literature review and formative research, we developed a conceptual model of constructs to be targeted by the curriculum in order to promote healthy relationships and prevent IPV. This conceptual model guided the development of our IPV prevention curriculum. Results: The activities resulted in four deliverables: a report of findings from literature review, a report of findings from formative research, a conceptual model, and an IPV prevention curriculum. The curriculum targets five main constructs, namely norms related to gender and alcohol, dating attitudes, communication about relationship expectations, stress management, and conflict management. Impacts and Benefits: We hope that this curriculum will prevent IPV among undergraduate students at UNC-CH and enhance their ability to develop and maintain healthy dating relationships. By preventing IPV, we also hope to prevent the associated negative health outcomes.Master of Public Healt