David A. Wolfe, Ph.D. Centre for Prevention Science CAMH/University of Toronto

1. Why early adolescence is an important time to promote healthy relationships and prevent dating violence David A. Wolfe, Ph.D. Centre for Prevention Science CAMH/University of Toronto David_Wolfe@CAMH.net

2. Why Relationships are Key • Developmental goals and transitions • Autonomy / transition / experimentation / intimacy • Pre-frontal cortex development/judgment • Gender differences in learning to relate • boys become more proficient at negotiating group dynamics (and are more attuned to status hierarchies) • girls become more proficient at negotiating the dyadic context (and are more attuned to relationship maintenance and compromise).

3. Negative Peer and Social Influences • Pressure to conform  gender-role expectations • Media images and messages poor choices • Wide acceptance of abuse and violence against identifiable groups (e.g., girls, gays) • Additional risks posed by substance use and sexual intimacy

4. Negotiating Choices • Life style choices begin in adolescence • Adolescent romantic experiences provide a developmentally important opportunity to learn about intimacy skills • romantic relationships are a common source of jealousy, anger, and frustration for youth • learning to negotiate conflict (and break-ups) with a romantic partner is a normative developmental task

5. The Plan: • All teens need accurate information and exposure to positive models • Help youth strengthen relationship skills to assist in making safe, responsible choices • Address the common elements of multiple risk behaviors (re: goals of adolescence) • Counteract pro-abuse messages from peer culture (gender, race, sexual orientation) • Emphasize positive message of safety and harm reduction (prepare, not scare) • Provide opportunities to develop assets and strengths (build youth connections)

6. CAMH Centre for Prevention Science100 Collip Circle, Suite 100London, ON N6G 4X8www.youthrelationships.org