Adolescent Dating Violence

Adolescent Dating Violence

Theory, Research, and Prevention
2018, Pages 53-83
Adolescent Dating Violence

Chapter 3 - The Acute and Chronic Impact of Adolescent Dating Violence: A Public Health Perspective*

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Abstract

Adolescent dating violence represents a significant public health problem and has been associated with numerous adverse risk behaviors. However, the majority of studies have been cross-sectional with overlapping temporal associations that make it difficult to determine whether these behaviors are indeed caused by experiencing dating abuse in adolescence. Nonetheless, recently there has been a notable increase in longitudinal studies, as well as cross-sectional studies that retrospectively measure dating abuse and outcomes at different time points, which potentially allows for establishing clearer temporal associations. This chapter discusses the acute and chronic impact of dating violence during adolescence. Studies vary widely in study characteristics (e.g., types of abuse examined, period of time elapsed between abuse and outcome) that have important implications for conclusions and future research directions on the topic. Research suggests that adolescent dating violence influences major aspects of functioning that can be broadly categorized into four types: (1) Mental/Psychological Health, (2) Physical Health, (3) Substance Use/Abuse, and (4) Victimization/Perpetration. Thus far, mental/psychological health outcomes are the most frequently examined in the literature. Overall, research strongly indicates that adolescent dating abuse victimization and perpetration contributes to a range of short- and long-term negative consequences impacting diverse areas of functioning, and that there may be significant differences to consider (e.g., gender). Additional studies are needed to better understand the nature and scope of these associations and further elucidate potentially relevant underlying risk pathways.

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Findings and conclusions of the research reported here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the US Department of Justice or the US Department of Health and Human Services.

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