Sample Essay On Research Project – Outline

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Introduction
Section One
One in every ten teenagers have been hit or physically hurt purposefully by the person they were dating at least once in the past year. One in every ten teenagers had been touched, kissed or physically forced into sexual intercourse in at least one instance by their dating partner (CDC, 2015).
Several surveys have been carried out to establish the prevalence of teen dating violence. There is consensus that this is a common problem that requires interventions at the community and policy level. Studies indicate that many teenagers in grades 7 to 12 were in relationships. From this number, 30% of teenagers in heterosexual relationships and 20% in same-sex relationships experience psychological abuse (Halpern et al., 2004).

Section Two

Community psychology is very relevant in violence in teenage relationships. One important element is the prevention of violence using various strategies. However, it is imperative to consider the effect of this violence in the victims and the perpetrators, especially considering the high prevalence rates. (Callahan, Tolman & Saunders, 2003).
Some of the successful intervention and prevention strategies used in addressing this problem are counseling and education respectively. Callahan, Tolman & Saunders, (2003) have shown that counseling is important for the victims, especially those with post-traumatic stress disorders. Through education, stakeholders have not only been able to raise awareness on the problem, but also given information to the teenagers on how to protect avoid the problem, where to seek for help and the fact that violence is not an indication of love.
Given that the problem is very rampant among school-going children, the possibility of incorporation it in the school curriculum in order to provide information and education should be explored (Oudekerk & Reppucci, 2011).

Conclusion

Statistics show an increasing prevalence of violence in teenage dating relationships. National surveys have shown that this problem permeates into heterosexual and same-sex relationships. The problem is detrimental to the psychological wellbeing of the teenagers. Several prevention and intervention methods have been proven effective in addressing the problem. However, the enduring nature of the problem requires the use of new, and probably more effective strategies.

References

Callahan, M., Tolman, R., and Saunders, D.(2003). Adolescent Dating Violence Victimization and Psychological Well-Being. Journal of Adolescent Research, 18:664-681
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Teen dating violence. Retrieved 26 Feb. 2015 from http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/teen_dating _violence.html
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Teen dating violence. Retrieved 26 Feb. 2015 from http://www.cdc.gov/features/datingviolence/
Halpern, C. Mary L., Martha, W. Sandra, L. Lawrence, L. .(2004). “Prevalence of Partner Violence in Same-Sex Romantic and Sexual Relationships in a National Sample of Adolescents.” Journal of Adolescent Health 35: 124-131.
Oudekerk, B. & Reppucci, N. (2011). Reducing recidivism on violence among offending youth. In J.A. Dvoskin, J.L. Skeem, R.W. Novaco, & K.S. Douglass (Eds) Applying Social Science to Reduce Violent Offending. New York: Oxford University Press.