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Student absenteeism affects students' engagement in school and academic and professional success. While research documents a significant association between school bullying/fighting and student absenteeism due to fear of being at school or getting to school, little research has examined the association of adolescent dating violence (ADV) victimization with this type of absenteeism. This study examined the relationship between physical and/or sexual ADV victimization in the past year (dichotomized as yes or no), and number of days of student absenteeism due to feeling unsafe at school or on the way to school in the past month (dichotomized as any vs. none). We analyzed cross-sectional data from the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), a nationally representative survey of U.S. high school students (n = 9507). We conducted crude and multivariate regression models for the total sample and stratified by sex to assess our hypothesized association of ADV victimization and absenteeism; sex, grade, race/ethnicity, and sexual identity were included as covariates in adjusted models. Findings demonstrate that students reporting past year ADV victimization had 3.69 times the odds of student absenteeism due to feeling unsafe, when compared to students who did not report ADV victimization (95% CI: 3.06-4.45, p < 0.001). Sex-stratified models reveal that this effect is significantly stronger for males than for females, as indicated by non-overlapping confidence intervals (male AOR: 5.67, 95% CI: 4.18-7.68; female AOR: 2.95, 95% CI: 2.32-3.74). The multivariate models also show that Black and Latinx compared with White students, and lesbian/gay/bisexual/unsure compared with heterosexual students, had higher odds of student absenteeism due to feeling unsafe. Findings indicate the need to address ADV victimization and student absenteeism with integrated and gender-tailored responses, and with consideration of greater vulnerabilities for queer students and students of color.

Adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system face a variety of risk factors that are associated with more frequent and severe experiences of aggression within romantic relationships as compared to community samples. The current study examines the nature and characteristics of adolescent dating violence (ADV) among first-time offense court-involved non-incarcerated (CINI) adolescents. A sample of 199 male and female CINI adolescents (58% male; M age = 15.05) who had a first-time, open status (e.g., truancy, curfew violation) and/or delinquent petition (e.g., assault, breaking, and entering). Overall, CINI adolescents reported prevalence rates of ADV consistent with community samples of adolescents. Females reported higher perpetration than did males in the sample of physical abuse and social networking abuse, as well as higher victimization of social networking abuse. Only one difference was found by offense type. CINI females report an increased risk for dating violence, though the cause of these gender differences is unclear. Findings also highlight that risk for ADV does not differ by offense type, suggesting that prevention efforts targeting ADV at the earliest possible intervention point, regardless of first-time offense type or severity, may be especially impactful.

Adolescent relationship abuse (ARA) (i.e. physical, sexual, psychological, or economic abuse in the context of romantic relationships) is associated with adverse health outcomes, including anxiety, depression, suicidality, unintended pregnancy, and substance misuse. A related phenomenon, reproductive coercion involves interference with the reproductive decision making of a partner with the intention of promoting pregnancy or controlling outcomes of a pregnancy. Reproductive coercion is associated with unintended pregnancy, partner violence, and sexually transmitted infections. Little is known about the intersection between economic ARA, sexual exploitation, and reproductive coercion. This paper explores the intersections between reproductive coercion, transactional sex, and economic abuse victimization in adolescent dating relationships. In an online survey, 1,752 adolescents (ages 13–17) were asked about economic adolescent relationship abuse (educational, employment and financial interference), transactional sex, reproductive coercion, and contraceptive access within their relationships. We assessed associations with chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis. Youth who experienced economic ARA (70%, 1,232) reported financial dependence on their partner, contraceptive access, and reproductive coercion (74–83%; p-values<0.001) more often than their counterparts without economic ARA. Adolescents experiencing economic abuse were more likely to report transactional sex (aOR = 2.76, CI [2.12, 3.60], p <.001), depending on a partner to pay for contraception or birth control (aOR = 2.20, CI [1.71, 2.84], p <.001), and reproductive coercion (aOR = 3.20, CI [2.37, 4.32], p <.001). Youth-serving providers and agencies should be aware of intersections between economic ARA, transactional sex, financial dependence, and reproductive coercion, particularly for adolescents with health-related social needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review identifies effective practice for the prevention of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence (VAWDASV). The review is underpinned by public health principles which provide a useful framework to understand the causes and consequences of violence as well as prevention. This systematic evidence assessment had two stages: a database search identified reviews of interventions designed to prevent VAWDASV, published since 2014; a supplementary search identified primary studies published since 2018. Reviews (n=35) and primary studies (n=16) focus on a range of types of violence and interventions. At the individual and relationship level, interventions work to transform harmful gender norms, promote healthy relationships, and promote empowerment. In the community, effective interventions were identified in schools, the workplace, and health settings. Finally, at the societal level, interventions relate to legislation and alcohol policy. The findings reveal a wealth of literature relating to the prevention of VAWDASV. However, gaps in research were identified in relation to the prevention of trafficking, violence against women, domestic abuse, sexual violence among older age groups, and so-called honour-based abuse other than female genital mutilation. Also, while many interventions focus on change at the individual and relationship level and within community settings, there is less evidence for societal-level prevention. The prevention of VAWDASV is both feasible and effective and there is an imperative to invest both in prevention programming and high-quality research to continue to guide efforts to prevent VAWDASV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study explores the personal stories of young women on their own experiences with adolescent dating violence and focuses on their perceptions of the relevant factors that maintained the relationship over time. To this end, we analyzed seven publicly available videos on YouTube of women explaining their experiences of adolescent dating violence, including how they perceived their relationships to be maintained over time. We identified four major sources these survivors perceived as contributing to the maintenance of adolescent dating violence: the Self, the Partner, the Relational Dynamic, and Other People. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a study of conflict recovery and adolescent dating aggression, 14‐ to 18‐year‐old couples (N = 209 dyads) participated in a 1‐hr observational assessment. Negative behavior was observed during conflict‐evoking "hot" tasks and in a "cooldown" task. Physical and psychological dating aggression were assessed via questionnaires. Negative behavior measured in the cooldown task was not associated with dating aggression after controlling for carryover effects of negativity from the hot to cooldown tasks. Moreover, cooldown negativity moderated the associations of hot task negativity and dating aggression. Actor and partner effects were disentangled via dyadic data analyses. Given the paucity of observational studies of dating aggression, our findings are an important contribution to the literature and in need of replication and extension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review identifies effective practice for the prevention of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence (VAWDASV). The review is underpinned by public health principles which provide a useful framework to understand the causes and consequences of violence as well as prevention. This systematic evidence assessment had two stages: a database search identified reviews of interventions designed to prevent VAWDASV, published since 2014; a supplementary search identified primary studies published since 2018. Reviews (n=35) and primary studies (n=16) focus on a range of types of violence and interventions. At the individual and relationship level, interventions work to transform harmful gender norms, promote healthy relationships, and promote empowerment. In the community, effective interventions were identified in schools, the workplace, and health settings. Finally, at the societal level, interventions relate to legislation and alcohol policy. The findings reveal a wealth of literature relating to the prevention of VAWDASV. However, gaps in research were identified in relation to the prevention of trafficking, violence against women, domestic abuse, sexual violence among older age groups, and so-called honour-based abuse other than female genital mutilation. Also, while many interventions focus on change at the individual and relationship level and within community settings, there is less evidence for societal-level prevention. The prevention of VAWDASV is both feasible and effective and there is an imperative to invest both in prevention programming and high-quality research to continue to guide efforts to prevent VAWDASV.

The criminal law response to adolescent family and dating violence is understudied in Australia. The aim of the present study was to examine the charges and sentences adolescents face when they perpetrate acts of violence against family members or intimate partners, and to better understand the personal circumstances of these adolescents, including whether they have been diagnosed with a mental illness, whether they have a criminal history and whether they have been subject to child protection interventions. We undertook a two stage study analyzing unpublished statistical data and case files held by the Youth Justice department in Queensland, Australia. We found that the most commonly charged offence was contravention of a family violence protection order in the context of adolescent dating violence. We found that many of the adolescents charged with adolescent family and dating violence related offences faced significant challenges and that Indigenous young people were significantly overrepresented in family violence related charges, especially for contraventions of a family violence protection order. Whilst criminal law responses are uncommon in parent–child and sibling violence contexts, family violence protection orders are over-utilized as a response to adolescent dating violence. Such orders when breached result in criminalization of the young person. Resources should to be (re)directed away from the criminal law system and into community-led, place-based initiatives that address the drivers of crime and incarceration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teen dating violence (TDV) is increasingly recognized as a national health priority, impacting overall well-being and school success. However, there are overlooked barriers to TDV program delivery in schools and youth-serving organizations and these are ideal settings to reach youth universally. In this study, we conducted 10 focus groups with school (e.g., administrators, social workers, nurses) and after-school personnel regarding barriers to TDV programming within a large urban community serving predominantly Mexican-heritage youth. Findings offer practice-driven considerations for the implementation of programs within urban communities. These include attention to limited resources, inhibitive and non-existent policies, competing demands, a lack of training, and demand for culturally competent curricula and wrap-around services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing use of primary prevention interventions which aim to tackle adolescent relationship abuse (ARA) through raising awareness of the issue, changing attitudes that underpin abusive behaviors, increasing knowledge and skills to promote help-seeking, and to ultimately lower the incidence of ARA victimization and perpetration. To date, several reviews have explored the effectiveness of existing ARA prevention programs. However, the reviews often focus on a single type of intervention, setting, and/or condition, making identifying, summarizing, and appraising the available evidence challenging. Meaning it can be difficult to ascertain what works for whom and under what circumstances. Therefore, this umbrella review provides an up-to-date re-synthesis and re-analysis of reviews of the ARA prevention literature, culminating in a comprehensive summary of the efficacy of program content, design, delivery, and evaluation. A systematic search of seven cross-disciplinary databases yielded 21 reviews and meta-analyses reporting the effectiveness of school-based ARA prevention programs, published prior to June 2023. This review examined review objectives, program characteristics (e.g., sample size and features, implementer details), outcome measures and findings and reported 11 determinants associated with intervention success. The findings revealed critical gaps regarding 'what works' for school-based ARA primary prevention intervention, resulting in a set of recommendations for future program optimization. • Reviews found inconsistent and contradictory determinants for program effectiveness • Support for program effectiveness in changing IPV behaviors and lowering victimization/perpetration is weak across reviews • Review outlines 11 determinants most frequently linked to enhanced prevention effectiveness [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interpersonal violence among racial and ethnic minority youth is of great concern in health disparity research. Child maltreatment (CM), adolescent dating abuse (ADA), sexual abuse, and polyvictimization are key forms of interpersonal violence that require surveillance and national epidemiological data. However, national data systems and published evidence do not depict this health burden for all racial and ethnic populations. Prevalence and incidence rates for American Indians, Eskimo, and Asian youth are absent from most estimates. This commentary provides a brief overview of the gaps in the literature and offers suggestions for addressing these gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined associations among adolescents' likelihood of disclosure about dating violence, perceptions of barriers to disclosure, and quality of the relationship with various sources of support. Data were gathered from 152 students in a southern high school. Results indicated youth perceived fewer barriers to disclosing to mentors compared with friends and parents, and youth reported highest relationships quality with informal mentors. However, youth indicated highest likelihood of disclosure to friends, followed by informal mentors and parents. Both relationship quality and perceived barriers to disclosure about dating violence were associated with likelihood of disclosure to friends and parents, but only relationship quality was related to likelihood of disclosure to informal mentors. Current findings (a) suggest adolescents' preferences for disclosing about dating violence are influenced by perceived barriers and relationship quality with sources of support and (b) highlight the promise of informal mentors as an additional resource for adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The national prevalence of adolescent dating violence (ADV) in Canada is currently unknown. This study presents the first nationally representative Canadian data on prevalence and correlates of ADV victimization and perpetration. This study analyzed data from the 2017/2018 Health-Behavior in School-Aged Children (HBSC) dataset. Youth from all 10 provinces and two territories participated. The analysis sample includes 3,711 participants (mean age = 15.35) in grades 9 and 10 who reported dating experience in the past 12 months. Youth were asked to report on physical, psychological and cyber ADV victimization and perpetration. To explore correlates of ADV, we included grade in school; gender (male, female or non-binary); race/ethnicity; family structure; immigration status; family affluence; food insecurity; and body mass index. We found that over one in three Canadian youth who had dated experienced and/or used ADV in the past 12 months. Specifically, past 12-month ADV victimization prevalence was 11.8% (95% CI: 10.4, 13.0) for physical aggression; 27.8% (25.8, 30.0) for psychological aggression; and 17.5% (15.8, 19.0) for cyber aggression, while perpetration prevalence was 7.3% (6.2, 9.0) for physical aggression; 9.3% (8.0, 11.0) for psychological aggression; and 7.8% (6.7, 9.0) for cyber aggression. Both victimization and perpetration were highest among non-binary youth (as compared to cisgender males and females). Overall, use and experience of ADV was greatest among youth experiencing social marginalization (e.g., poverty). ADV impacts a substantial minority of Canadian youth, and is a serious health problem. ADV prevention programs that focus on root causes of violence (e.g., poverty) are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased awareness of adolescent involvement in abusive intimate relationships and its negative impact on their lives has led to increased interest in the development of prevention programmes aimed at ending this social ill. It is recommended that programmes should be tailored for the intended audience, taking into consideration their language and culture. Jamaica has limited research on adolescent dating violence (ADV) and no focused prevention programme. Evidence of female adolescents' victimization in intimate relationships in Jamaica necessitates the development of culturally situated interventions. To identify elements that may be needed for such interventions, 10 focus group discussions were held with 64 Jamaican adolescents in Grades 9-11. Participants discussed their understanding of and attitudes towards ADV. Findings indicated that participants had considerable but not extensive awareness of different types of abuse and knew that abuse could occur in adolescent relationships. Adolescents indicated insecurity in self, their relationships, and life stress. They also identified influence from family, peers, and popular music as factors contributing to the perpetration of ADV. Findings are discussed along with recommendations made for prevention programmes in Jamaica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Intimate partner violence (IPV) among adolescents, or teen dating violence (TDV), is a significant public health issue that may affect up to two-thirds of youth aged 12–18. Gun violence among adolescents is similarly high, accounting for 18.7% of all firearm injuries from 2010 to 2016. Despite these statistics and evidence showing that TDV continues into adulthood as IPV, gun-related TDV has not received the same level of attention as adult IPV. In this scoping review, we are guided by the following questions: (1) what are the known risk and protective factors for gun-related TDV across micro (individual, interpersonal), mezzo (school, neighborhood), and macro (policy, social norms) domains? (2) What are the future directions for this area of research? Methods: We conducted a scoping review of eight academic databases to identify peer-reviewed studies examining risk and protective factors for gun-related TDV published in 1999–2019. Results: Our search returned few unique results (N = 16). Most of the published studies described the shared individual risk factors of gun carrying/access and TDV. Mezzo studies discussed TDV within the context of peer aggression or youth delinquency and gun carrying. There were zero macro studies meeting our search parameters. Conclusion: Our review suggests that adolescence may confer a unique blend of risk factors for both firearm and relationship violence, yet the intersection of these issues has received relatively little attention compared to gun violence in adult relationships. Areas for future inquiry involve increased surveillance of this issue and interventions addressing the shared risks for gun carrying/access and TDV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Adolescent dating violence (ADV), including psychological, physical, threatening, and/or sexual abuse between adolescent romantic partners, is an epidemic in the United States, with youth report rates ranging from 15 to 77% for perpetration and 14-73% for victimization. ADV victimization is associated with multiple adverse outcomes in both adolescence and adulthood (e.g., suicidal ideation, substance use, bullying), as is ADV perpetration (e.g., sexually transmitted infections, intimate partner violence in adulthood). Given the high prevalence and profound impact of ADV on youth in the US, many prevention efforts have emerged in the past 20 years. Previous reviews of these efforts have focused primarily on school-based interventions or have broadly reviewed programs including all research design types and outcomes. This review is the first to provide a comprehensive, quantitative synthesis of all existing ADV prevention programs tested using randomized controlled trial designs with a control group, specifically measuring ADV perpetration and/or victimization as outcomes.Methods: Employing a systematic literature search and screening protocol, nine studies were identified for meta-analysis.Results: Results indicate that ADV prevention programs may decrease the risk of emotional, physical, and sexual perpetration, as well as emotional and physical victimization.Conclusions: This is the first review to uncover significant intervention effects on the actual occurrence of ADV, with previous reviews only finding effects on outcomes such as ADV knowledge and attitude. Findings suggest that ADV prevention programs are promising and may warrant implementation more broadly with youth, and this review provides methodological suggestions for future research evaluating new ADV prevention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the rates of victimization and perpetration of physical, sexual, and psychological dating violence among a sample of 193 ever-partnered Nicaraguan adolescents. Findings reveal high levels of partner violence, with 20% of students experiencing physical violence, 27% experiencing sexual violence, and 45–83% experiencing different types of psychological violence. For both victimization and perpetration, physical and sexual abuse were found to be positively correlated with psychological abuse, most notably for girl victims. We analyze the gender dynamics of the findings, contextualize them in a sociocultural analysis, and provide directions for prevention and future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the prevalence of violence in Jamaican adult relationships, aggression and violence in intimate relationships among Jamaican adolescents is way understudied. This descriptive study examined sex differences in the perpetration and victimisation experiences of 179 Jamaican adolescents in Grades 9 to 11 from three co-educational schools. Abuse was reported for three categories (i.e., psychological, physical, sexual). Psychological abuse was the most reported form, and most participants reported having been both a victim and a perpetrator of abuse. In general, females were more involved in abusive experiences than males. They reported higher prevalence rates of physical and psychological perpetration, as well as physical victimisation. For sexual abuse, victimisation and perpetration rates were similar for female and male adolescents. Overall, the findings support the need for country-specific research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and associations with health care-seeking patterns among female patients of adolescent clinics, and to examine screening for IPV and IPV disclosure patterns within these clinics. A self-administered, anonymous, computerized survey was administered to female clients ages 14–20 years (N = 448) seeking care in five urban adolescent clinics, inquiring about IPV history, reasons for seeking care, and IPV screening by and IPV disclosure to providers. Two in five (40%) female urban adolescent clinic patients had experienced IPV, with 32% reporting physical and 21% reporting sexual victimization. Among IPV survivors, 45% reported abuse in their current or most recent relationship. IPV prevalence was equally high among those visiting clinics for reproductive health concerns as among those seeking care for other reasons. IPV victimization was associated with both poor current health status (AOR 1.57, 95% CI 1.03–2.40) and having foregone care in the past year (AOR 2.59, 95% CI 1.20–5.58). Recent IPV victimization was associated only with past 12 month foregone care (AOR 2.02, 95% CI 1.18–3.46). A minority (30%) reported ever being screened for IPV in a clinical setting. IPV victimization is pervasive among female adolescent clinic attendees regardless of visit type, yet IPV screening by providers appears low. Patients reporting poor health status and foregone care are more likely to have experienced IPV. IPV screening and interventions tailored for female patients of adolescent clinics are needed.

Male violence against females most often occurs within intimate relationships, and when that occurs during youth, it is termed adolescent dating violence (ADV). A scoping review focused on male perpetration of ADV was conducted to synthesize existing evidence and offer insights about what influences male adolescents to perpetrate ADV. The current scoping review explored the findings drawn from 16 research studies conducted in the United States, Spain, South Africa, and Italy, to distil modifiable factors related to male perpetration of ADV. Three themes were extrapolated from the 16 studies: (a) entitlement; (b) adverse childhood experiences (ACE); and (c) ineffective conflict management. Entitlement as a theme was characterized by attitudes and beliefs aligning to violence, hierarchical and marginalizing masculine norms, traditional gender roles, and male superiority, which in various configurations influenced the perpetration of ADV. ACE as a theme highlighted how male adolescents who had experienced, observed, and/or initiated abuse were at increased risk of perpetrating ADV. Male adolescents with ineffective conflict management (theme 3), including alcohol use and/or emotional dysregulation, were also at higher risk of perpetrating ADV. Tailored prevention efforts are often delinked from issues of male entitlement, ACE, and ineffective conflict management; therefore, we make suggestions for trauma-informed care to guide primary care providers (PCPs) in the assessment and management of ADV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research is inconclusive about the trajectory of dating violence during adolescence and whether there are differences across gender and race/ethnicity. We examined dating victimization and perpetration trajectories among a diverse sample of rural youth (N = 580, 52.7% female, 49% Black, 39% White, 11% Hispanic or other minorities) in middle and high school who were surveyed annually across four years and explored the influences of gender and ethnicity. The results based on cohort-sequential latent growth modeling revealed that for boys, victimization peaked at 11th grade, and then declined. For girls, victimization was stable throughout adolescence. Perpetration was reported less frequently and increased steadily for males and females. For White youth, victimization peaked at grades 9 and 10, followed by a decline. For Black youth, victimization followed a linear increase. Perpetration trajectory followed a linear increase for White and Black but not Hispanic youth. The findings indicate that the developmental progression of dating violence during adolescence varies by demographics. The discussion focuses on future directions for research on teen dating violence among rural youth and implications for prevention and interventions initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examines the impact of adolescent–parent communication, which can play a significant role in alleviating risk behaviors, especially adolescent dating violence (ADV). Adolescents (N = 55; 28 males and 27 females), majority of whom were Latinos, were recruited from social service agencies serving youth and families. Adolescents completed a paper survey on the Parent–Adolescent Communication (comprised of open and problematic subscales) and Revised Conflict Tactics scales. T-tests and ANOVAs were conducted revealing that youth with ADV experience reported lower overall communication levels with their parents and increased problematic communication, especially with their mothers than adolescents with no ADV experience. No significant difference emerged by age or gender but Latino youth who experience ADV had lower levels of problematic communication with both parents. Teens, whose mothers were receiving domestic violence-related services, versus who were not receiving services, reported more overall communication with their mothers. Implications for educators, practitioners, and research are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there is developing research on how genes moderate the effect of stressful life events on substance use, the limited research has yet to focus on specific stressors. As adolescent dating violence victimization has been linked to various substance use behaviors, the current research seeks to further examine the longitudinal outcomes of adolescent dating violence victimization and the role that genes play in moderating these effects. Specifically, using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), a series of logistic and negative binomial regressions are run to analyze the direct and interactive effects of adolescent dating violence victimization and a polymorphism (5HTTLPR) in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene on both alcohol use problems and marijuana use. The results find that 5HTTLPR interacts with adolescent dating violence victimization to increase odds of marijuana use for the sample. However, the interaction between 5HTTLPR and adolescent dating violence has differential effects for males and females, suggesting sex differences regarding the susceptibility properties of 5HTTLPR. Implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural equation modeling with three waves of data was used to assess a mediation model investigating the relationship between perceived social support, informal help-seeking intentions, and professional help-seeking intentions in the context of adolescent dating violence. The sample included 589 adolescents from a rural, southern county who participated in a longitudinal study of teen dating violence victimization and perpetration. Results suggest that informal help-seeking intentions are an important link between perceived social support and professional help-seeking intentions. Findings highlight the importance of informal help-seeking and informal help-giving in fostering professional help-seeking for adolescent victims and perpetrators of dating violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives To present the findings from a data set reflecting intimate partner violence among adolescents who are pregnant and parenting and living in out-of-home care and to analyse these findings in order to generate potential interventions to address this significant issue. Background Because of their developmental stage, coupled with the stress of pregnancy and new parenthood, adolescent women who are pregnant or postpartum are often at a high risk of abuse. Violence may include physical, emotional/psychological, verbal and sexual abuse, along with birth control sabotage and pregnancy coercion. Adolescent mothers in out-of-home care such as foster care, juvenile detention facilities, kinship care or living in complex family circumstances may be at an even higher risk of intimate partner violence related to the increase in stress, conflict and tenuous situations. Design This descriptive study was designed, using baseline self-report and demographic data, to examine the relationship of pregnancy or parenting among adolescents with a fear of or reported involvement in intimate partner violence. Methods A total of 151 sexually active, urban, system-involved youths in out-of-home care were assessed between 2012-2015 with a survey questionnaire assessment of sexual reproductive health behaviours, areas of risk and protective factors. Results The findings indicated a significant association between ever having been pregnant and fear of intimate partner violence. Conclusions In this population, fear of intimate partner violence was prevalent among adolescent mothers, adding to the complexity of an already difficult family situation. Due to the small sample size and the potential correlation between intimate partner violence and adolescent motherhood, future longitudinal studies with larger samples of adolescents residing in out-of-home care are needed to better understand how this relationship impacts adolescent mothers, their children and families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner violence (IPV) among African Americans is a serious public health concern. Research suggest that African Americans adolescents, particularly those from economically disadvantaged communities, are at heightened risk for experiencing and perpetrating dating violence compared to youth from other racial and ethnic groups. In the present study, we examined different relationship contexts that are sources of IPV socialization. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 economically disadvantaged African American adolescents. Content analysis yielded five relationship contexts through which the participants witnessed, experienced, and perpetrated IPV: (a) adolescents' own dating relationships (64%), (b) siblings and extended family members (e.g., cousins, aunts, uncles) (59%), (c) parent-partners (27%), (d) friends (23%), and (e) neighbors (18%). Adolescents also frequently described IPV in their own dating relationships and in parent-partner relationships as mutual. Moreover, they appeared to minimize the experience of IPV in their own relationships. Efforts to reduce rates of IPV among economically disadvantaged African American adolescents should consider these relational contexts through which adolescents are socialized with regards to IPV and adolescents' beliefs about mutual violence in relationships. Results highlight the importance of culturally relevant prevention and intervention programs that consider these relationship contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although adolescent dating violence (ADV) is recognized as a significant public health problem, little is known about how parents respond to it. This article analyzes exploratory, qualitative data from a public opinion survey of 529 Midwestern, U. S. parents' ideas about how they would respond to a daughter victimized by ADV. It examines differing responses between mothers and fathers across 3 vignettes. Most parents viewed the ADV as serious, meriting deeper discussions with the daughter, boyfriend, or his parents. Many planned to handle the incident by trying to end the adolescents' relationship, talking to the boyfriend, or informing the daughter about ADV. These findings can help prevention workers show how knowledge about parents' typical reactions can help parents modulate their responses to increase effective communication with adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To assess if adolescent dating violence was associated with physical intimate partner violence victimization in adulthood, using a comprehensive propensity score to create a matched group of victims and nonvictims. Methods Secondary analysis of waves 1 (1994–1995), 2 (1996), 3 (2001–2002) and 4 (2007–2008) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, a nationally representative sample of US high schools and middle schools. Individuals aged 12–18 reporting adolescent dating violence between the wave 1 and 2 interviews (n = 732) were matched to nonvictimized participants of the same sex (n = 1,429) using propensity score matching. These participants were followed up approximately 5 (wave 3) and 12 (wave 4) years later. At both follow-up points, physical violence victimization by a current partner was assessed. Data were analyzed using path models. Results Compared with the matched no victimization group, individuals reporting adolescent dating violence were more likely to experience physical intimate partner violence approximately 12 years later (wave 4), through the experience of 5-year (wave 3) victimization. This path held for males and females. Conclusions Results from this sample matched on key risk variables suggest that violence first experienced in adolescent relationships may become chronic, confirming adolescent dating violence as an important risk factor for adult partner violence. Findings from this study underscore the critical role of primary and secondary prevention for adolescent dating violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research suggests that peers are important to adolescent dating experiences. However, questions remain about the role peers play in adolescent relationships, including dating violence. To fill this gap, eight sex-specific focus groups were conducted with 39 high school–aged teens, all of whom had experienced prior relationship problems. Participants described how peers helped them initiate dating relationships, but once in the relationship, peers would spread rumors and create dramas that led to jealousy, discord, and violence between the couple. Prevention programs should focus on cultivating peers as helpful bystanders and counteracting peer actions that lead to dating violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dating violence among U.S. adolescents is a substantial concern. Previous research indicates that Latino youth are at increased risk of dating violence victimization. This secondary data analysis examined the prevalence of physical and sexual dating violence victimization among subgroups of Latino adolescents and associations of parent communication, parent caring, and dating violence victimization using data from the 2010 Minnesota Student Survey (N = 4,814). Parallel analyses were conducted for Latino-only and multiple-race Latino adolescents, stratified by gender. Multivariate logistic regression models tested associations between race/ethnicity, parent communication, perceived parent caring, and adolescent dating violence experiences. Overall, 7.2% to 16.2% of Latinos reported physical or sexual dating violence. Both types of dating violence were more prevalent among multiple-race Latinos than among Latino-only adolescents, with prevalence rates highest among multiple-race Latino females (19.8% and 19.7% for physical and sexual dating violence victimization, respectively). In multivariate models, perceived parent caring was the most important protective factor against physical and sexual dating violence among males and females. High levels of mother and father communication were associated with less physical violence victimization among males and females and with less sexual violence victimization among females. Results highlight the importance of parent communication and parent caring as buffers against dating violence victimization for Latino youth. These findings indicate potential for preventive interventions with Latino adolescents targeting family connectedness to address dating violence victimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The negative impact on adolescents of being a victim of violence is well documented, but the impact of being a perpetrator of violence is less well known. Knowing the negative outcomes of being a perpetrator could inform clinical interactions with adolescents, development of violence prevention strategies, and estimates of the societal burden of violence. This longitudinal study examined the effects of physical dating violence (DV) and peer violence (PV) perpetration on internalizing symptoms, relationships with friends and family, academic aspirations and grades, and substance use. Methods The four-wave longitudinal study (N = 3,979), conducted in two North Carolina counties over 2½ years, spanned grades 8–12. Generalized linear mixed models were used to examine prospective lagged effects of each type of violence perpetration on each outcome and sex and grade as moderators of effects. Results Perpetrating DV significantly predicted lower college aspirations and greater likelihood of marijuana use. The effect of DV perpetration on increased family conflict was moderated by school grade; the effect decreased in significance across grades. Perpetrating PV significantly predicted greater likelihood of cigarette and marijuana use. The effects of PV perpetration on increased internalizing symptoms and alcohol intensity and decreased college aspirations were moderated by school grade; effects decreased in significance across grades. Neither type of perpetration predicted changes in number of reciprocated friendships, social status, or academic grades, and no effects varied by sex. Conclusions These detrimental outcomes for the perpetrator need to be considered in clinical interactions with adolescents and violence prevention programming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurement of adolescent dating violence has substantial implications for our understanding of prevalence, correlates and outcomes; thus, the selection of a measure for a given research study is an important task. Currently, however, no comprehensive compendium presents adolescent dating violence measures with evidence of reliability and validity, or discusses strengths and limitations of these measures. Such a document would aid researchers in the selection of appropriate measures, and would also identify gaps in the literature, as well as directions for future research. Thus, this two-part comprehensive review presents adolescent dating violence measures that have been the focus of psychometric testing. Part 1 of this review presents behavior measures (i.e. measures that assess victimization and perpetration), while Part 2 presents attitude measures. We also review empirical literature that uses identified measures. In Part 2, we conclude by discussing the implications of this review for adolescent dating violence measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurement of adolescent dating violence has substantial implications for our understanding of prevalence, correlates and outcomes; thus, the selection of a measure for a given research study is an important task. Currently, however, no comprehensive compendium presents adolescent dating violence measures with evidence of reliability and validity, or discusses strengths and limitations of these measures. Such a document would aid researchers in the selection of appropriate measures, and would also identify gaps in the literature, as well as directions for future research. Thus, this two-part comprehensive review presents adolescent dating violence measures that have been the focus of psychometric testing. Part 1 of this review discussed six behavior measures, while Part 2 presents seven measures that assess attitudes toward adolescent dating violence, as well as empirical literature that uses these measures. We conclude our review by discussing the implications of this two-part paper for adolescent dating violence measurement, and directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The connection between adolescent dating violence (ADV) and substance use is important to consider because of the serious consequences for teens who engage in these behaviors. Although prior research shows that these two health problems are related, the context in which they occur is missing, including when (i.e., the timeline) in the relationship these events occur. To fill this gap, eight sex-specific focus groups were conducted with 39 high school–aged teens, all of whom had experienced prior relationship violence. Adolescents discussed using alcohol and/or drugs at the start of the dating relationship and after the relationship ended as a way to cope with the break-up. Alcohol and drugs were also used throughout to cope with being in an abusive relationship. The intersection of ADV and substance use occurred during instances when both partners were using alcohol and/or drugs, as well as when only one partner was using. These findings provide support for prevention and intervention programs that consider the intersection of ADV and substance use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Narrative therapy, an approach based on the reauthoring of life narratives, may be a useful psychotherapeutic strategy for youth who have experienced dating violence. OBJECTIVE: A cornerstone of narrative therapy is the concept of unique outcomes, which are moments that stand in contrast to a client’s otherwise problem-saturated narratives. The purpose of this study was to identify and categorize unique outcomes embedded in narratives about adolescent dating violence. DESIGN: Text units representing unique outcomes were extracted from transcripts of interviews with 88 young adults who had experienced dating violence and were categorized using standard content analytic techniques. RESULTS: Six categories of unique outcome stories were identified: facing-facts stories, standing-up-for-myself stories, cutting-it-off stories, cutting-’em-loose stories, getting-back-on-track stories, and changing-it-up stories. CONCLUSION: This typology of unique outcomes can inform clinicians who work with clients who have a history of adolescent dating violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of a dating violence (DV) prevention program for Cuban American adolescents (JOVEN/YOUTH: Juntos Opuestos a la Violence Entre Novios/Together Against Dating Violence). A randomized-controlled experimental design with a delayed condition was used to evaluate the effects on DV victimization and perpetration (N = 82). Self-administrated assessments were completed at baseline, 1 week, 3 months, and 12 months after the intervention to assess for psychological victimization and perpetration and physical and sexual victimization and perpetration. Effect sizes were estimated, and generalized estimating equations were generated to test intervention effects over time and potential gender interactions. The intervention had medium to strong effects on DV victimization and perpetration for male participants but not for females. However, intervention effects were not statistically significant over time. More research is needed to enhance intervention effects of JOVEN on DV outcomes and to evaluate these effects among a larger and more diverse sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the associations of recent intimate partner violence (IPV) and reproductive coercion (RC) with frequency of use of reproductive and sexual health services, a cross-sectional survey was administered to 16-29 year old women seeking care in five family planning clinics (n = 1,262). We evaluated associations of recent experiences of IPV, RC, or both IPV and RC with recent care seeking for pregnancy testing, emergency contraception, and sexually transmitted infection testing using multinomial logistic regression. Sixteen percent of respondents reported IPV and 13.5 % reported RC in the past 3 months. Four percent of all respondents reported both IPV and RC. Recent RC without IPV was associated with increased odds of seeking one (AOR = 2.0, 95 % CI 1.3-2.9) or multiple pregnancy tests (AOR = 2.3, 95 % CI 1.2-4.5), multiple STI tests (AOR = 2.5, 95 % CI 1.5-4.1), or using emergency contraception once (AOR = 2.6, 95 % CI 1.2-5.8) or multiple times (AOR = 2.2, 95 % CI 1.7-2.7). Recent IPV without RC was associated with increased odds of seeking one (AOR = 1.4, 95 % CI 1.1-1.7) or multiple pregnancy tests (AOR = 2.2, 95 % CI 1.4-3.2) and using emergency contraception once (AOR = 1.6, 95 % CI 1.3-2.0). The combined effect of recent IPV and RC increased the odds of seeking multiple pregnancy tests (AOR = 3.6, 95 % CI 3.3-3.8), using emergency contraception multiple times (AOR = 2.4, 95 % CI 1.5-4.1) and seeking STI testing once (AOR = 2.5, 95 % CI 1.6-3.9) or multiple times (AOR = 2.9, 95 % CI 1.02-8.5). Frequent requests for pregnancy and STI testing and emergency contraception among young females seeking care may be an indicator of greater risk for recent RC, alone and in combination with IPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescents exposed to domestic violence are at high risk for dating abuse. This randomized controlled trial evaluated a dating abuse prevention program designed specifically for this risk group. Moms and Teens for Safe Dates consisted of six mailed booklets of dating abuse prevention information and interactive activities. Mothers who had been victims of domestic violence but no longer lived with the abuser delivered the program to their adolescents who had been exposed to the abuse. Mother and adolescent pairs (N = 409) were recruited through community advertising; the adolescents ranged from 12 to 16 years old and 64 % were female. Mothers and adolescents completed baseline and 6-month follow-up telephone interviews. Booklet completion in the treatment group ranged from 80 % for the first to 62 % for the last booklet. The analyses first tested whether program effects on dating abuse varied by four a priori identified moderators (mother's psychological health, the amount of adolescent exposure to domestic violence, and adolescent sex and race/ethnicity). Main effects of the program were examined when there were no differential program effects. Program effects on psychological and physical victimization and psychological and cyber perpetration were moderated by the amount of adolescent exposure to domestic violence; there were significant favorable program effects for adolescents with higher, but not lower levels of exposure to domestic violence. There were no moderated or main effects on sexual violence victimization and perpetration or cyber victimization. The findings suggest that a dating abuse prevention program designed for adolescents exposed to domestic violence can have important positive effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neighborhood context plays a role in the development of adolescent health risk behaviors, but few studies have investigated the influence of neighborhoods on the perpetration of dating violence. This longitudinal study examined the direct effects of risky neighborhood structural and physical characteristics on trajectories of the perpetration of dating violence, tested whether collective efficacy mediated these relationships, and determined if the effects varied by the sex of the adolescent. Adolescent data are from a multi-wave longitudinal study from grades 8 to 12; neighborhood data were collected from parents' interviews and U.S. Census data. Multilevel growth curve models were conducted with 3,218 students; the sample was 50 % male, 41 % White, 50 % Black, and 9 % other race/ethnicity. In models examining risky neighborhood variables one at a time, and controlling for potential individual-level confounders, the sex of the adolescent interacted with economic disadvantage, residential instability, and physical disorder; these risky neighborhood characteristics increased risk for girls' but not boys' perpetrating of dating violence. In full models with all of the risky neighborhood variables, the sex of the adolescent continued to interact with neighborhood economic disadvantage; living in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods increased girls' but not boys' risk for dating violence across all ages. No other risky neighborhood effects were found for boys or girls. Collective efficacy did not mediate the relationships between other neighborhood characteristics and the outcome. These findings suggest that dating violence prevention strategies for girls should consider the contexts in which they live rather than only targeting changes in their individual characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescent dating violence (ADV) and mental illness are highly prevalent, interrelated public health priorities. Increasingly, scholars are looking to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to explain risk for these health concerns. Determine prevalence of ACEs, ADV perpetration and victimization, and anxiety and depression symptoms among adolescents in the Dominican Republic (DR). Evaluate the association of ACEs with these ADV and mental health outcomes. Cross-sectional survey data were collected from 142 adolescents at middle and high schools in the DR. We assessed ACEs using the Childhood Experiences Survey, ADV using the Conflict in Dating Relationships Inventory, and depression/anxiety symptoms using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System scales. Linear and logistic regressions were performed to test dose-response relationships between a cumulative ACE score and ADV and mental health outcomes while adjusting for age, gender, and rural/urban residence. 80.6% of students reported at least one ACE. The most prevalent ACEs reported were physical abuse (49%) and witnessing domestic violence (48%). After adjusting for covariates, cumulative ACE scores were significantly associated with depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, physical and emotional ADV perpetration, and physical and emotional ADV victimization. Structural and community-based interventions to prevent ADV and promote mental health for adolescents in the DR should address ACEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides an overview of the development of 'Green Acres High', a serious game-based primary intervention to raise awareness of and change attitudes towards dating violence in adolescents, and an analysis of how adolescents described their experience of playing this game. Transcripts from focus group data were analysed using thematic analysis. The global theme that was developed, Assessment of the game, was represented by two organising themes, Positive assessment: Pedagogical Underpinnings and Negative Assessment: Functionality Limitations and Frustrations. These represented the fact that overall the learning experience was positive based on the pedagogical principles and content that could be embedded in this digital game but that technical issues with the game needed to be addressed as these could impinge on the learning experience of the adolescents. It was seen that using a serious game was a valid and meaningful way for adolescents to learn about dating violence and that this is a viable alternative or adjunct to traditional teaching methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The peer context is a central focus in research on adolescent risk behaviors but few studies have investigated the role of the peer context in the perpetration of adolescent dating violence. This longitudinal study examined between-subjects and within-person contemporaneous and lagged effects of peer attributes, measured with social network analyses, on trajectories of dating violence perpetration and determined if effects varied by grade and/or sex of the adolescent. Data are from adolescents who participated in a five-wave panel study beginning when they were in 7 through 9th grade and ending when they were in 10 through 12th grade (n = 3,412); half were male, 40.5 % were white, 49.9 % were black and 10.4 % were of another race/ethnicity. Significant between-subjects effects indicate that adolescents who typically have friends who use dating violence, and girls who are typically high in social status, are at increased risk for using dating violence throughout adolescence. Adolescents who typically have high quality friendships and girls who typically have friends with pro-social beliefs are at decreased risk for using dating violence throughout adolescence. Significant within-person contemporaneous effects indicate that both boys and girls reported lower levels of dating violence than usual at times when they had more friends with pro-social beliefs, and reported higher levels of dating violence than usual at times when they had higher social status. None of the lagged effects were significant and none of the effects varied across grade. These findings suggest that the peer context plays an important role in the development of the perpetration of adolescent dating violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study identified classes of developmental trajectories of physical dating violence victimization from grades 8 to 12 and examined theoretically-based risk factors that distinguished among trajectory classes. Data were from a multi-wave longitudinal study spanning 8th through 12th grade ( n = 2,566; 51.9 % female). Growth mixture models were used to identify trajectory classes of physical dating violence victimization separately for girls and boys. Logistic and multinomial logistic regressions were used to identify situational and target vulnerability factors associated with the trajectory classes. For girls, three trajectory classes were identified: a low/non-involved class; a moderate class where victimization increased slightly until the 10th grade and then decreased through the 12th grade; and a high class where victimization started at a higher level in the 8th grade, increased substantially until the 10th grade, and then decreased until the 12th grade. For males, two classes were identified: a low/non-involved class, and a victimized class where victimization increased slightly until the 9th grade, decreased until the 11th grade, and then increased again through the 12th grade. In bivariate analyses, almost all of the situational and target vulnerability risk factors distinguished the victimization classes from the non-involved classes. However, when all risk factors and control variables were in the model, alcohol use (a situational vulnerability) was the only factor that distinguished membership in the moderate trajectory class from the non-involved class for girls; anxiety and being victimized by peers (target vulnerability factors) were the factors that distinguished the high from the non-involved classes for the girls; and victimization by peers was the only factor distinguishing the victimized from the non-involved class for boys. These findings contribute to our understanding of the heterogeneity in physical dating violence victimization during adolescence and the malleable risk factors associated with each trajectory class for boys and girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dating violence is a serious public health problem. In recent years, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other entities have made funding available to community based agencies for dating violence prevention. Practitioners who are tasked with developing dating violence prevention strategies should pay particular attention to risk and protective factors for dating violence perpetration that have been established in longitudinal studies. This has been challenging to date because the scientific literature on the etiology of dating violence is somewhat limited, and because there have been no comprehensive reviews of the literature that clearly distinguish correlates of dating violence perpetration from risk or protective factors that have been established through longitudinal research. This is problematic because prevention programs may then target factors that are merely correlated with dating violence perpetration, and have no causal influence, which could potentially limit the effectiveness of the programs. In this article, we review the literature on risk and protective factors for adolescent dating violence perpetration and highlight those factors for which temporal precedence has been established by one or more studies. This review is intended as a guide for researchers and practitioners as they formulate prevention programs. We reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2010 that reported on adolescent dating violence perpetration using samples from the United States or Canada. In total, 53 risk factors and six protective factors were identified from 20 studies. Next steps for etiological research in adolescent dating violence are discussed, as well as future directions for prevention program developers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Adolescent dating violence is a pressing international issue: yet, there have been few attempts to collate the international evidence regarding this phenomenon. This article reviews contemporary evidence from Europe and North America on prevalence, dynamic risk factors, and the efficacy of intervention programs for adolescent dating violence. Prevalence findings suggest that victimization rates are comparable across Europe and North America. Although individual studies report differing prevalences, the overall hierarchy of violence types – in which psychological/emotional violence is most and sexual violence least prevalent – is consistent across almost all investigations. Four dynamic risk factors for perpetration are identified: peer influence, substance use, psychological adjustment and competencies, and attitudes towards violence. Peer influences and attitudes towards violence appear to be the most extensively evidenced factors in the literature. Nine existing intervention programs are identified, all located within North America. Intervention results are mixed, with some evaluations reporting significant long-term benefits while others report positive intervention effects dissipate throughout follow-up. Tentative analysis suggests that programs focused on behavioral change may elicit sustainable effects more readily. However, this is difficult to ascertain with no data on program repetitions and variations across intervention pedagogy and sample. Concerns with existing research and interventions and possible future directions are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]