Developmental Pathways of Teen Dating Violence in a High-Risk Sample

The purpose of this basic research project is to study the etiology of teen dating violence (TDV) in a high-risk sample of adolescents who were recruited at 12-months of age, along with their parents, for a multi-method, multi-wave study of the effects of parental alcoholism on infant and child development. A dynamic cascade model of development will provide an integrated theoretical framework of TDV to explain the progression of risk from infancy through adolescence and will help to identify critical points in development that may be amenable to intervention. The sample consists of 227 adolescents (49% girls) who are currently in 11th 12th grade who were last assessed in early adolescence (8th grade). Participants will be contacted to complete a survey on current risk behaviors (e.g., substance use, peer delinquency) and dating violence using an audio computer assisted self-interviewing program. Data collected at previous waves (e.g., parental risk factors, the parent-child relationship, family context, childhood self-regulation and social competence, and adolescent risky behaviors) will be used to test a dynamic cascade model of development for TDV, using structural equation modeling data analytic techniques. As a first step, the influence of early- and middle-childhood risk and protective factors on early adolescent risk behaviors that have been associated with TDV (e.g., Grade 8 substance use, early dating) will be explored. Next, risk behaviors occurring in early adolescence will be considered as proximal predictors (e.g., delinquency, peer TDV, deviant peer affiliation) of TDV in late adolescence. Gender differences will also be explored. A comprehensive understanding of the etiology of TDV, particularly understanding the role of parenting as a source of risk or protection can be used inform social and criminal justice policies and will aid in the development of effective intervention strategies. ca/ncf