NCJ Number
226384
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 38 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2009 Pages: 429-439
Date Published
March 2009
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study examined gender differences in cross-gender violence perpetration and victimization, ranging from mild to severe, and attitudes toward dating conflict among an urban sample of 601 early adolescents (78 percent African-American).
Abstract
The study found that girls reported higher levels of cross-gender violence perpetration and more hostile attitudes toward dating conflict; and boys reported higher levels of cross-gender victimization. These findings regarding early adolescents are consistent with some other research studies on interpersonal violence conducted with somewhat older adolescents and young adults (Capaldi et al., 2004; O’Leary et al., 2008) who have reported no gender differences or slightly higher rates of interpersonal violence committed by females. Consistency was found for both boys and girls in their reports of cross-gender violence. Also, girls consistently reported that they would respond with more verbal and physical hostility in dating conflict situations. A path model showed that cross-gender violent perpetration, harsh parenting, peer deviance, low family income, and neighborhood hazards accounted for significant variation in attitudes toward dating conflict. These findings clearly indicate the need for interventions that target both boys and girls. Developmental precursors of dating violence should be identified in early adolescence, and prevention efforts should focus on behavioral features (e.g., social skills and coping strategies) necessary to prevent the onset and escalation of adolescent dating violence. The 601 study participants consisted of 52 percent boys, 78 percent African-American, 20 percent White, and 2 percent other. Students were recruited from all fifth-grade classes in 17 schools in Birmingham, AL. Data were collected at this point and then 17 months later. 4 tables, 1 figure and 39 references