Implementation and Outcomes of the Men of Strength (MOST) Club

Evidence is lacking for positive youth development programs for boys that use gender transformative approaches and promote peer leadership to prevent sexual violence and teen dating violence. This study aimed to address gaps in violence prevention research and youth development practice by evaluating implementation and outcomes of the Men of Strength (MOST) Club. Sixteen high schools were randomized to MOST Club or a control condition and 60 boys from nine of the schools completed baseline and follow-up surveys. Trained program facilitators completed logs after each session. Although the COVID-19 pandemic interfered with both program implementation and data collection, MOST Clubs were implemented with strong adherence to content and acceptability was high among facilitators and students. Students at intervention schools reported improvements in perceived peer leadership and reduced attitudes supporting violence compared to students at control schools. Effects on other outcomes were not statistically significant given the small sample size. This study illustrates the promise of implementing programs in school settings that do not require instructional time nor whole-school participation. This first randomized controlled trial of MOST Club moves the field of violence prevention toward positive youth development programs that have the potential for population-level reductions in sexual violence and co-occurring behaviors.