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Adolescence is characterized by the emergence of romantic interactions. This study aims to explore the psychometric properties of the Scale of Myths of Romantic Love (SMRL) and the gender differences in Spanish adolescents. The sample was representative and consisted of 1,840 third (52.8%) and fourth (47.2%) year students in compulsory secondary education in Castilla-La Mancha. In line with the original validation, the results of the factor analyses show that the SMRL is a mainly uni-dimensional measure when applied to adolescents. The bi-factor analysis yields satisfactory fit indices (in terms of GFI, AGFI, CFI, RMSEA, SRMR; Medrano & Muñoz-Navarro, 2017) and indicates that the general factor is more solid than the specific factors (in terms of ECV, ωh and H h ). Correlations with the Myths Scale toward Love and the Gender Equality Attitudes Scale provide evidence in favor of convergent and discriminant validity. Boys scored significantly higher than girls on the SMRL. In conclusion, this is a suitable instrument to scientifically address romantic myths at the adolescent stage, but also to complement and guide educational interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to analyze the direct and indirect relationships between romantic myths of love and teen dating violence victimization (physical and psychological), considering the mediating role of tolerant attitudes toward abuse and the moderator role of gender. A sample of 467 adolescents who had a dating relationship at that time or in the previous 12 months (45.6% boys, M age = 15.09, SD age = 1.46) participated. Results showed that tolerant attitudes toward abuse was a significant mediating variable in the relationship between romantic myths and psychological dating violence victimization only in adolescent girls. Psychological dating violence victimization was also a mediating variable in the relationship between tolerant attitudes and physical dating violence victimization in adolescent girls. These findings highlight the relevance of tolerant attitudes toward abuse in understanding teen dating violence victimization, especially in adolescent girls, and the need to include these attitudes in prevention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescents’ beliefs in romantic myths of love have been related to cyber dating violence victimization. However, these relationships could be mediated by adolescents’ tolerant attitudes toward dating abuse and be different for adolescent boys and girls. A better understanding of these relationships is important for developing more effective prevention programs. Thus, the current study aimed to examine the relationships between beliefs in romantic myths and cyber dating violence victimization in adolescents, analyzing the possible mediating role of tolerant attitudes toward abuse and the possible moderator role of gender. Participants were 467 Spanish adolescents who had a romantic relationship (54.4% girls; Mage = 15.09). Results showed positive significant direct and indirect relationships, through tolerant attitudes toward abuse, between beliefs in romantic myths and cyber dating violence victimization. Gender was not a moderator variable in the direct relationships, but its moderator role was supported in the indirect relationships. Stronger positive links between romantic myths and tolerant attitudes toward abuse, and between tolerant attitudes and cybercontrol victimization, were found in adolescent girls. These findings highlight the need to consider tolerant attitudes toward abuse in intervention programs designed to prevent cyber dating violence victimization in adolescents and continue to analyze gender differences in variables related to cyber dating violence victimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The main aim of the study has been to analyze the influence of sexism, romantic myths and adverse life events in gender-based violence. Method: The research is based on a quantitative methodological strategy. The sample is made up of 121 male partner aggressors who were part of a social reintegration program in a penitentiary center. Results: The results show that hostile sexism, romantic myths of the idealization of love and adverse life events have a significant effect on threats, and these have it on four types of intimate partner violence (physical, sexual, emotional and psychological control). In addition, hostile sexism impacts on physical violence, and adverse life events on sexual violence. Conclusions: Social reintegration programs carried out with partner aggressors must take into account the role of some legitimizing beliefs and adverse life events that are associated with violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although literature tends to link romantic love to intimate partner violence against women, the empirical evidence found which studies romantic myths in male aggressors is almost non-existent. Furthermore, the concept of romantic myth is not thoroughly analysed, and works that compare samples of aggressor and non-aggressor men are needed. Thus, the existing differences in the prevalence of romantic myths among these groups (102 subjects: 46 men sentenced for intimate partner violence against women and 56 nonaggressors) are analysed, using a comprehensive list of myths. It is also studied which myths predict the male aggressor condition. A scale with 33 myths and 4 factors (Tradition, Romanticism, Possession, and Abnegation) is applied. The aggressor sample shows a greater acceptance of these beliefs, with the more notable differences in Possession, Abnegation and Romanticism. Binary Logistic Regression analysis points out that Romanticism might predict the male aggressor condition. The study of each specific myth shows significant differences in several beliefs. In conclusion, the greater adherence to the myths in the male aggressor reflects the importance of encouraging deconstruction within this group, as well as within society in general through prevention and education towards healthy relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In spite of the existence of references linking romantic myths with satisfaction/dissatisfaction and partner violence, there is a lack of empirical studies that analyze this link as well as tools to assess a broad taxonomy of myths. Thus, this paper proposes a list of 33 romantic myths assessed through a survey provided to a sample of 439 individuals. Additionally, the paper introduces a 33-item scale and a 31-item model composed of four factors (Possession, Abnegation, Romanticism, and Tradition). As a result, the paper concludes on an adequate structural validity and criterion, with optimal reliability values. Regression analyses suggest that Possession could be a significant predictor of violence, while Tradition could predict partner satisfaction. In sum, the paper introduces a broad list of myths (the most extensive that has been identified) and a scale of accurate psychometric features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this study was to design and validate the Scale of Myths of Romantic Love (SMRL) in a sample of 1168 university students (81.25% women and 18.75% men) from the Community of Madrid. Their mean age was 20.97 years old (SD=4.46). The internal structure was analyzed with exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, in which four models were tested: one-factor model, two-independent factor model, two-correlated factor model, and bifactor model. The results provided evidence in favor of the unidimensionality of the SMRL and offered adequate reliability coefficients. Correlations with myths toward love and sexism confirmed the convergent validity. Using the results of the bifactor model, a short version of the scale was obtained. In conclusion, this research offers an instrument with good psychometric properties that allows analyzing the romantic love myths in the Spanish context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The DARSI program (Developing Healthy and Egalitarian Adolescent Relationships) aims to prevent peer aggressive behaviors inside and outside social networks and educate adolescents on gender equality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the program on the reduction of sexist attitudes, myths of romantic love and aggressive behaviors in adolescents. Method: 191 adolescents, aged 12 to 17 years (53.93% girls), assigned to an experimental group (3 classrooms) and two control groups (6 classrooms in two educational centers) participated in this study. A quasi-experimental design with control group was used and the effectiveness of the program was evaluated using a repeated measures factorial design. Results: Findings showed a significant decrease in the experimental group in hostile sexism, benevolent sexism, myths of romantic love, direct aggression, relational aggression, and cyber-aggression. Conclusions: The effectiveness of the evaluated program and the viability of joint interventions in the prevention of peer violence and teen dating violence are observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The objectives of this study were to analyze the prevalence of cyber dating violence perpetration (cyber-control and cyber-aggression) in adolescent boys and girls, and to explore the relations between adolescents' involvement in cyber dating violence perpetration (never, occasional, and frequent) and their sexist attitudes (hostile and benevolent), romantic myths, and offline dating violence perpetration (relational, physical, and verbal-emotional). The predictive weight of these variables in relation to cyber dating violence perpetration (cyber-control and cyber-aggression) was also analyzed. Of an initial sample of 919 adolescents, who had or had had a dating relationship in the past 12 months, 492 adolescents were included in this study (M age = 15.10, SD = 1.59). The results revealed a higher prevalence of cyber-control behaviors and a different predictive weight of the analyzed variables in relation to cyber-control and cyber-aggression for boys and girls. Physical and relational offline dating violence were significant predictors of cyber-aggression for boys, while sexist attitudes and romantic myths were the main predictors for girls. Hostile sexism and relational offline dating violence were positive predictors of cyber-control for boys, while romantic myths and verbal-emotional offline dating violence were the main predictors of cyber-control for girls. These results highlight the need for gender analyses in cyber dating violence research. • Gender differences appear in the predictive variables of cyber dating violence. • Physical and relational offline dating violencepredict cyber-aggression for boys. • Hostile sexism and relational offline dating violence predict cyber-control for boys. • Sexist attitudes and romantic myths predict cyber-aggression for girls. • Romantic myths and verbal-emotional offline dating violence predict cyber-control for girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyber dating violence is an increasing problem with serious negative consequences for adolescents. Further knowledge about related variables is necessary to develop preventive strategies. The aim of this study was to analyze the correlations among cyber dating violence victimization (cyber-control and cyber-aggression), offline dating violence victimization (physical, verbal-emotional, and relational) and adolescents' beliefs in myths of romantic love; and to examine possible differences in cyber-control victimization, cyber-aggression victimization and offline dating violence victimization (relational, physical and verbal-emotional) according to adolescents' levels of belief (low vs. high) in myths of romantic love. The role of offline dating violence victimization (physical, verbal-emotional and relational) and romantic myths as predictor variables of cyber-control and cyber-aggression victimization was also explored. All these analyses were carried out separately with boys and girls. Of an initial sample of 919 adolescents, those who have had a dating relationship in the past year (492 adolescents, M = 15.10, SD = 1.59) were included. The regression analyses revealed that offline dating violence victimization and romantic myths were significant predictors of cyber-control and cyber-aggression victimization for both boys and girls, but explained variance was higher for girls. Verbal-emotional offline dating violence victimization was the main predictor of cyber-control victimization, and physical and relational offline dating violence victimizations were the main predictors of cyber-aggression victimization. These results can be useful for developing more effective offline and cyber dating violence prevention programs., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.