Thefourthr.ca
Title
The Fourth R :: Promoting Healthy Adolescent Relationships
Description
The Fourth R
The Fourth R is a consortium of researchers and professionals dedicated to promoting healthy adolescent relationships and reducing risk behaviours. We develop and evaluate programs, resources and training materials for educators and other front-line professionals who work with youth. In particular, we work with schools to promote the neglected R (for relationships) and help build this Fourth R in school climates. Fourth R initiatives use best practice approaches to target multiple forms of violence, including bullying, dating violence, peer violence, and group violence. By building healthy school environments we provide opportunities to engage students in developing healthy relationships and decision-making to provide a solid foundation for their learning experience. Increasing youth relationship skills and targeting risk behaviour with a harm reduction approach empowers adolescents to make healthier decisions about relationships, substance use and sexual behaviour.
The Fourth R comprehensive school program is currently being evaluated in a randomized controlled trial with 20 schools in the Thames Valley District School Board in London, Ontario Canada. A preliminary report [PDF] summarizing our findings and a three page executive summary [PDF] are available for download.
TheNational Dissemination Project involves working with educators and researchers across the country to adapt and implement the Fourth R in their school boards.
