Dating violence and physical health: A longitudinal lens on the significance of relationship dynamics and anti-social lifestyle characteristics

Longitudinal Associations Between Adolescent Dating Violence Victimization and Adverse Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Evidence on the outcomes of adolescent dating violence (ADV) victimization mainly derives from cross-sectional studies, which have limitations in suggesting causal relationships. Furthermore, the complexity of factors and overlapping dimensions in dating violence research, such as the forms of violence experienced, may have contributed to the variability of findings across the literature. To address these gaps and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of ADV, this study reviews findings from prospective cohort studies, with a focus on the type of violence experienced and the gender of the victim. A systematic search was conducted in nine electronic databases and additional relevant journals. Prospective longitudinal studies were included if dating violence victimization occurred during adolescence and chronologically preceded the outcomes. A quality assessment was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A narrative approach was used to synthesize findings. After screening 1,838 records, 14 publications met the selection criteria and were included in this review. Our findings suggest that experiencing ADV is longitudinally associated with many adverse outcomes, including higher internalizing symptoms and externalizing behaviors, poorer well-being, increased substance use, and increased revictimization. However, the associations are not consistently reported across studies when considering the type of ADV experienced and the gender of the victim. This review highlights the limited number of longitudinal studies examining the outcomes of ADV victimization, the unbalanced approach in investigating different forms of violence, and the lack of diverse samples examining this subject. Implications for research, policy, and practice are outlined.

Long-term Adverse Outcomes Associated With Teen Dating Violence: A Systematic Review

CONTEXT

Evidence suggests that teen dating violence (TDV) is associated with long-term adverse outcomes, but these associations have not been systematically assessed.

OBJECTIVES

To conduct a systematic review of the longitudinal associations between TDV and negative outcomes, including mental and physical health, reoccurrence of violence in intimate relationships, and high-risk behaviors (substance use and sexual behaviors).

DATA SOURCES

Peer-reviewed articles published in English were searched in PsycINFO/Eric/PsycArticles, PubMed, and Web of Science database from inception to November 2022.

STUDY SELECTION

Prospective studies that assessed TDV during adolescence, had a follow-up of at least ≥1 year, and evaluated the associations of TDV with health, violence in romantic intimate relationships, or risk behaviors were included.

DATA EXTRACTION

Study characteristics, baseline data, and follow-up outcomes were extracted from included studies.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight studies involving 23 unique samples were analyzed. Findings showed that TDV in adolescence was associated with future teen dating and intimate partner violence in adulthood. Studies also indicated that TDV was longitudinally associated with increasing high-risk behaviors (i.e., marijuana and alcohol use) and poor mental health outcomes (particularly for victimization). There was unclear evidence on the longitudinal link between TDV and suicidal attempts. Significant associations between TDV and negative outcomes were reported more frequently among females compared with males.

LIMITATIONS

Length of follow-up varied across studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Dating violence in adolescence may represent a risk factor for a wide range of long-term outcomes. Female adolescents reporting TDV may be at higher risk of adverse outcomes compared with males.

Relationship Dynamics and Abusive Interactions in a National Sample of Youth and Young Adults

Stemming intimate partner violence among adults demands earlier education and skill-building supportive of healthy youth and young adult dating relationships. The current U.S.-based study examines a spectrum of youth and young adult relationship dynamics (RDs), inclusive of abusive interactions. In a nationally representative cohort of youth aged 10-18 at baseline and one parent or caregiver, survey responses regarding RDs from 618 participants ages 15-23 at wave 5 follow-up were analyzed. Latent class analysis of four positive dynamics, six problematic dynamics, and three scales of adolescent relationship abuse (ARA) were estimated, yielding four latent profiles of dating RDs. Relationships characterized by Unhealthy and Intense RDs both exhibited high probability of ARA but differed from each other in terms of other positive and problematic dynamics. Relationships characterized by Disengaged RDs had lower probability of ARA but elevated probability of awkward communications, negative feelings, social liability, and other challenging dynamics. Several baseline covariates were significantly associated with profiles of dating RDs approximately 5 years later. Younger participants were more likely to subsequently fall in an Intense or Disengaged RDs profile, as were participants with baseline emotional health problems. Further, classification in the Unhealthy RDs profile was less likely for participants reporting a better baseline relationship with their parents and more likely for those exposed to violence in childhood. These findings suggest that in addition to developmental maturity, youth and young adults would benefit from closer investigation and processing of past emotional and relational issues and traumas to foster healthier dating relationships.

Association Between Dating Violence and Behavioral and Health Outcomes Among Early Adolescents From Denmark: The Role of Exposure to Childhood Maltreatment

AIM

To examine the unique contribution of child maltreatment victimization on the association between adolescent dating violence (ADV) and four negative behavioral and health-related factors.

METHOD

In total, 2,934 7th grade students (M = 13.5, SD = .5) filled out questionnaires at school. Binominal logistic regression was performed to assess the impact of child maltreatment on the relationship between ADV and behavioral and health-related factors.

RESULTS

After child maltreatment was taken into account, associations between ADV and the negative behavioral and health-related factors became weaker.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings from the present study suggest that focusing on one victimization type (such as ADV) when examining psychological outcomes, can be problematic as the causal relationship may be misrepresented when an adolescent's broader victimization profile and context is not considered.

Financial Behaviors, Couple-Level Conflict, and Adolescent Relationship Abuse: Longitudinal Results From a Nationally Representative Sample

Financial disagreements have been identified as a severe source of discord in adult relationships, yet limited work has considered whether financial considerations contribute to conflict among younger samples. Drawing on longitudinal data from a nationally representative sample of adolescents, the current investigation examined the extent to which money lending practices, feelings of financial resentment, and exposure to economic control contribute to couple-level interactions, and in turn, to conflict that escalates to the point of violence. Findings provide evidence of an association between adolescent financial behaviors and concurrent conflict due to economic considerations. Moreover, conflict due to economic considerations was an important predictor of future adolescent relationship abuse perpetration. We discuss the implications of our findings for intervention/prevention efforts.

Psychosocial Work Hazards, Self-Rated Health and Burnout: A Comparison Study of Public and Private Sector Employees

OBJECTIVES

To compare psychosocial work conditions and health status between public and private sector employees and to examine if psychosocial work conditions explained the health differences.

METHODS

Two thousand four hundred fourty one public and 15,589 private sector employees participated in a cross-sectional survey. Psychosocial work hazards, self-rated health (SRH), and burnout status were assessed by questionnaire.

RESULTS

As compared with private sector employees, public sector employees reported better psychosocial work conditions and better SRH, but higher risk of workplace violence (WPV) and higher levels of client-related burnout. Regression analyses indicated that higher psychosocial job demands, lower workplace justice, and WPV experience were associated with poor SRH and higher burnout. The public-private difference in client-related burnout remained even with adjustment of psychosocial work factors.

CONCLUSION

Greater risks of WPV and client-related burnout observed in public sector employees warrant further investigation.