NCJ Number
219732
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 22 Issue: 6 Dated: August 2007 Pages: 367-381
Date Published
August 2007
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Using a sample of 155 male and 417 female college students, this study examined the associations among dating violence victimization, satisfaction with the relationship, mental health problems, and the acceptability of violence.
Abstract
Study participants reported significant levels of dating violence victimization, but the levels were still relatively low (28.76 for the total sample). No significant gender differences in dating violence victimization were reported; however, women reported greater satisfaction with the dating relationship and higher levels of depression, anxiety, and physical symptoms compared with male victims. Men reported higher acceptability levels for both male-to-female violence and female-to-male violence than women. The majority of the victimization reported was minor (just over 70 percent), with the most commonly reported act being shouted at or insulted, or being pushed or grabbed by the partner. Less than 1 percent of the sample reported more severe violence. The findings do not infer any causality among the variables examined, only that dating violence victimization, relationship satisfaction, and mental health problems are related. All of the participants were in a current or had been in a previous heterosexual dating relationship. Students were administered a 137-item survey that measured dating violence victimization, mental health problems, satisfaction with the dating relationship, the acceptability of violence, and demographics. 4 tables, 4 figures, and 57 references