NCJ Number
195965
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 31 Issue: 5 Dated: October 2002 Pages: 373-385
Date Published
October 2002
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article examines romantic relationship aggression and attitudes in high school students.
Abstract
A study of 254 high school students examined the use of aggressive behaviors in adolescent romantic relationships, the endorsement of attitudes that promote such behaviors, and the extent to which attachment and emotional style were related to the behaviors and attitudes. In general, aggressive behaviors and attitudes were not common. Girls were somewhat more likely to report being the perpetrator of physical aggression and boys somewhat more likely to endorse the acceptance of aggression and dysfunctional sexual attitudes. For girls, a less secure relationship with best friends and lower levels of shame and guilt were related to the use of aggression in romantic relationships and endorsing less healthy attitudes about these relationships. For boys, externalizing responsibility for harm to others was related to using physical aggression in romantic relationships and lower levels of guilt and shame were related to the justification of sexual aggression. The article suggests that intervention programs be grounded in the nature of adolescent relationships, where aggression is more often mutual between partners, and reviews the potential benefit of targeting emotional styles. Tables, references