NCJ Number
215480
Journal
Journal of Adolescence Volume: 29 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2006 Pages: 495-512
Date Published
August 2006
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This study examined the relationship between maternal parenting processes and dating violence by testing for a possible mediation effect through self-esteem.
Abstract
A finding consistent with previous conceptual work was that affective and instrumental parenting processes shape adolescents’ attitudes and behaviors, as well as their interpersonal relationships outside the family context. In addition, results suggest that adolescents’ self-concept or self-esteem mediated the effect of the parent-adolescent relationship, specifically maternal expectance, on adolescents’ peer relations. It was concluded that low self-esteem partially mediated the effects of low maternal support and closeness on dating violence victimization and perpetration behaviors. Maternal support was the only characteristic mediated by low-esteem on dating violence attitudes and perceptions in the high-socioeconomic (SES) group. Although little empirical work exists on the link between self-worth and dating violence, conceptually, an individual’s level of self-esteem seems very significant in understanding what causes a person to be at risk for dating violence, and particularly dating violence victimization. This study investigated a model in which low self-esteem mediated the effects by parenting processes (monitoring, closeness, and support) on measures of dating violence (victimization, perpetration, attitudes, and perceptions). Study participants consisted of 809 adolescents from both low and high socioeconomic backgrounds. Tables, appendix and references