NCJ Number
216625
Journal
Journal of Knowledge and Best Practices in Juvenile Justice & Psychology Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: 2006 Pages: 41-50
Date Published
2006
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study examined the incidence and prevalence of psychological aggression among inner city African-American middle school, high school, and college age youth in dating relationships; the differences in psychological aggression among these age groups; the difference between male and female victims/aggressors in these age groups; and the relationship of psychological aggression to depression and ethnic identity.
Abstract
The study found that college and high school females reported higher prevalence and incidence rates of sustaining psychological aggression than their male counterparts. Middle school females reported higher prevalence and incidence rates of inflicting psychological aggression than their male counterparts, while middle school males reported higher prevalence and incidence rates of sustaining psychological aggression. Adolescence is characterized by rapid cognitive and bio-psychosocial changes. The onset of dating and an intense sexual involvement make for the many ups and downs of this phase of life. Violence in a formative teenage dating relationship, among children as young as 12 years of age, may lead to life-long intimate partner violence issues. This exploratory study examined the incidence and prevalence of teen dating violence in the form of psychological aggression among 215 inner-city African-American middle school, high school, and college age youth; the differences among these age groups; the differences between males and females in these age groups; and the relationship of psychological aggression to depression and identity. Tables, references