Internal Vs. External Drivers of Adolescent Violence: Evidence from Brazil

This pilot study aims to compare two interventions to reduce violence among adolescents in Brazil, and its complementarities: a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-based (CBT) intervention and a masculinity norms (MEN) intervention. We partner with the World Bank and local Secretariat to implement a randomized controlled trial with four treatment arms: CBT + MEN, CBT + active control, MEN only, and active control only. The interventions will be embedded within the school curriculum, delivered weekly over three months by trained teachers. Our design aims to disentangle between the "internal" drivers of violence through CBT (emotional regulation, cognitive processes) and "external" drivers through a masculinity norms intervention (social expectations, peer influences). Data collection will include surveys, behavioral observations, administrative school records, and potentially follow-up data on longer-term outcomes like incarceration. These outcomes will be measured one month and 6 months after the intervention, with potential for longer-term tracking through Brazil's rich administrative data. 

This research directly addresses a key policy problem within CVI's priorities: understanding the motivations behind participation in crime and violence, specifically looking at the role of social norms in driving violent behaviors. By partnering with relevant stakeholders in the context, this study ensures strong implementation and policy relevance. Results will inform larger-scale programmatic efforts to reduce violence among youth in Brazil and generate important theoretical insights on the relative importance of psychological versus social normative approaches to violence prevention.