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Social-ecological Influences on Teen Dating Violence: A Youth Rights and Capabilities Approach to Exploring Context

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Abstract

Prevention science suggests that teen dating violence (TDV) prevention be directed at multiple levels of youth’s social-ecological environments, from person to relationship, community, and societal levels. Yet, little is known about community and societal influences on TDV. We used a human rights capabilities approach to explore social-ecological environment influences TDV. Through 3 focus groups and 11 interviews, we asked 37 youth and 21 adults in a racially and socioeconomically diverse, Southeastern US school district to share their views on how environment influences TDV. A four-person team conducted thematic coding. Results revealed themes and contrasts across youth and adult understandings of context and capabilities in TDV. The capabilities approach provides a promising framework for understanding school and community influences on TDV.

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Correspondence to M. Pippin Whitaker.

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Whitaker, M.P., Savage, T.E. Social-ecological Influences on Teen Dating Violence: A Youth Rights and Capabilities Approach to Exploring Context. Journ Child Adol Trauma 7, 163–174 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-014-0023-y

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