Clustering of Adolescent Dating Violence, Peer Violence, and Suicidal Behavior

• NCJ Number: 237073
• Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 23 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2008 Pages: 815-833
• Author(s): Robert M. Bossarte; Thomas R. Simon; Monica H. Swahn
• Date Published: June 2008
• Length: 19 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined patterns of victimization and perpetration experiences within a group of dating adolescents.

Abstract

To understand the co-occurrence of multiple types of violence, the authors developed a behavioral typology based on self-reports of suicidal behaviors, physical violence, and psychological abuse. Using a sample of dating adolescents from a high-risk school district, they identified five clusters of behaviors among the 1,653 students who reported being abusive or violent in the past year. Victimization and perpetration with same-sex peers and dating partners clustered together among the students who reported the highest levels of abusive (n = 357) or violent behavior (n = 146). These students also reported high levels of suicidal behavior. There were few significant demographic differences across clusters. The implications of the results for the need to design and evaluate efforts to prevent multiple types of violence are discussed. (Published Abstract)