Taking Stock of Behavioral Measures of Adolescent Dating Violence

• NCJ Number: 249366
• Author(s): Jaclyn Smith, Carrie Mulford, Natasha E. Latzman, Andra Teten Tharp, Phyllis Holditch Niolon, Dara Blachman-Demner
• Date Published: January 2015
• Length: 19 pages
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored

Annotation

This article summarizes the behavioral measures of adolescent dating violence used in the field, based on a review of the literature and federally funded studies.

Abstract

The past 2 decades have witnessed an increase in dating violence awareness and research. As the field evolves, it is critical to examine the definition and measurement of adolescent dating violence. The current study identified 48 measures. The most commonly used measures were the Conflict Tactics Scale–2, the Safe Dates Scale, and the Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationship Inventory, which all examine aspects of psychological, physical, and sexual violence. Researchers also adapted or created their own measures. This article concludes with a discussion of developments for consideration as the field moves forward. (Publisher abstract modified)