A latent class analysis of adolescent dating violence: Associations with daily conflict management

BACKGROUND

Adolescent dating violence (ADV) is a major public health concern experienced by more than half of adolescents. Previous studies have found considerable diversity in patterns of ADV and suggest that its various forms often occur concurrently and reciprocally within adolescent dating relationships. While multiple robust distal correlates of ADV have already been established, research on situational factors, such as conflict-related variables, is still sparse.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify patterns of ADV based on the co-occurrence of different types of ADV victimization and perpetration. Multiple correlates of these ADV patterns were examined, including daily conflict-related factors (e.g., occurrence, resolution).

METHODS

A sample of 216 adolescents (M = 17.03 years; SD = 1.49) who were currently involved in a dating relationship completed a baseline assessment followed by 14 consecutive daily diaries.

RESULTS

Latent class analysis revealed five classes, including Low violence (21.8 %), Emotional violence (50.9 %), Emotional and sexual violence (13 %), Psychological violence and control (7.9 %), and Multiple violence (6.5 %). Demographic, relationship, distal, and daily conflict-related indicators differentiated the classes. Findings indicated that youth in the Psychological violence and control and Multiple violence classes were involved in longer-lasting relationships and displayed higher externalized problems and emotion dysregulation, more frequent experiences of childhood traumas, and, notably, more difficulties in managing daily conflicts.

CONCLUSION

Adolescence is a crucial time to reduce the onset, persistence, and adverse consequences of ADV. By identifying situational conflict-related factors associated with ADV victimization and perpetration, this study can inform important prevention efforts.

Predicting Violent Victimization Using Social Network Analysis From Police Data

Extant research suggests that membership in crime networks explains vulnerability to violent crime victimization. Consequently, identifying deviant social networks and understanding their structure and individual members' role in them could provide insight into victimization risk. Identifying social networks may help tailor crime prevention strategies to mitigate victimization risks and dismantle deviant networks. Social network analysis (SNA) offers a particular means of comprehending and measuring such group-level structures and the roles that individuals play within them. When applied to research on crime and victimization, it could provide a foundation for developing precise, effective prevention, intervention, and suppression strategies. This study uses police data to examine whether individuals most central to a deviant social network are those who are most likely to become victims of violent crime, and which crime network roles are most likely to be associated with vulnerability to violent victimization. SNA of these data indicates that network individuals who are in a position to manage the flow of information in the network (betweenness centrality), regardless of their number of connections (degree centrality), are significantly more likely to be homicide and aggravated assault victims. Implications for police practice are discussed.

Understanding the hesitancy to disclose teen dating violence: Correlates of self-efficacy to deal with teen dating violence

Dating violence (DV) is now recognized as an important public health issue. Prevention and intervention programs are being implemented in school contexts. Such initiatives aim to raise awareness among potential victims and offenders as well as among peer bystanders and offer adequate interventions following disclosure. Yet, a major challenge remains as teenagers may not disclose their victimization or may not feel self-efficient to deal with DV if they witness such violence. As such, teen DV remains largely hidden. A representative sample of 8 194 students (age 14-18) in the province of Quebec, Canada was used to explore teenagers' self-efficacy to reach out for help or to help others in a situation of DV victimization and perpetration. Analyses are conducted to identify possible correlates of self-efficacy in terms of socio-demographic variable (sex, age) and a history of child sexual abuse and dating victimization. Implications for prevention and support strategies are discussed.

Teens' Self-Efficacy to Deal with Dating Violence as Victim, Perpetrator or Bystander

Multiple studies have demonstrated that adolescent dating violence is highly prevalent and associated with internalizing and externalizing problems. A number of prevention initiatives are being implemented in North-American high schools. Such initiatives do not only aim to raise awareness among potential victims and offenders but also among peer bystanders. Since teenagers mainly reach out to their peers when experiencing adversity, it is important to address adolescents' efficiency to deal with witnessing dating violence or with friends disclosing dating abuse, in addition to increasing ability to deal with experienced dating violence victimization or perpetration. The aim of this study is to explore adolescents' self-efficacy to deal with dating violence victimization and perpetration in their relationships and those of their peers. A paper-and-pencil questionnaire was completed by 259 14-18 years olds in Quebec, Canada. The data allows building insight into adolescents' confidence to reach out for help or to help others in a situation of dating violence victimization and perpetration. We also considered the impact of gender and dating victimization history. Results suggest that dating violence prevention can build on teens' self-efficacy to deal with dating violence and offer them tools to do so efficiently.

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The present study explores the worst experiences according to teenagers having experienced sexual dating violence victimization. Which situations are found to be difficult to deal with and are these generally associated with violent incidents? A survey on youths' romantic relationships was completed by teenagers (ages 14 to 18) in Quebec. Over 600 participants reported having experienced at least one episode of sexual violence victimization (often in combination with at least one other form of dating violence). In this article, we present the results of a qualitative, inductive analysis of the responses to an open-ended survey question regarding the worst experience in a romantic relationship. The findings suggest that in addition to dating violence, general relationship problems, breaking up and non reciprocal romantic feelings are found to be particularly challenging by our respondents. As such, our findings emphasize that a variety of relational issues should be taken into consideration in the support made available to them.