Patterns, Precursors, and Consequences of Teen Dating Violence: Analyzing Gendered and Generic Pathways

• NCJ Number: 249002
• Author(s): Jennifer E. Copp; Wendi L. Johnson
• Date Published: May 2015
• Length: 19 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2012-IJ-CX-0015
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored)
• Award: Patterns, Precursors and Consequences of TDV: An analysis of Gendered and Generic Pathways

Annotation

Based on five waves of structured interview data from the Toledo Adolescent Relations Study, the current study identified neighborhood, family, peer, and intimate-relationship factors related to male and female involvement in intimate partner violence (IPV).

Abstract

The study's findings show that IPV peaks during young adulthood, with a later age peak for the young women involved in the Toledo study. These trajectories were found to be linked to the quality of the childhood relationship with parents and the characteristics of the intimate relationship in which the violence occurred. The salient factors in the intimate relationship were the frequency of disagreements, feelings of jealousy and mistrust, and perceptions of the partner's validation. Positive changes in these relationship factors over time resulted in a decline in IPV. The salient childhood factor in IPV was harsh parenting. Neighborhood-level analyses found that the neighborhood normative climate regarding dating and attitudes about the opposite sex were also related to the occurrence of IPV. This neighborhood effect was stronger in more disadvantaged contexts. Women victims of IPV generally reported higher levels of depression, and both men and women victims of IPV self-reported declines in physical health. These findings suggest that a focus on the dynamic features of the partners' interactions and perceptions of support from the other partner are important in addressing IPV. In addition, the link between IPV and a broad range of attitudes and beliefs suggests that future programs could benefit from targeting specific norms and attitudes linked to IPV. 2 figures, 13 references, and a listing of scholarly products produced or in process based on this study