When Will Adolescents Tell Someone About Dating Violence Victimization?

• NCJ Number: 223518
• Journal: Violence Against Women Volume: 14 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2008 Pages: 741-758
• Author(s): Beverly M. Black; Richard M. Tolman; Michelle Callahan; Daniel G. Saunders; Arlene N. Weisz
• Date Published: 2008
• Length: 18 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study identified factors that influenced help-seeking among a sample of adolescents who had experienced dating violence.

Abstract

Of the 57 students who completed the survey section for respondents who had experienced dating violence, 44 percent (n=25) were male and 56 percent (n=32) were female. African-American students composed 47 percent of the dating-violence sample (n=27); European-Americans composed 41 percent (n=23) of the dating violence sample. Sixty-seven percent of the sample talked to someone about the dating violence they had experienced. Fifty-two percent of the boys (n=13) and 78.1 percent (n=25) of the girls reported that they had talked to someone about the dating violence. All adolescents who reported talking to someone had talked to a friend. Only five adolescents (13 percent) reported that they had talked to a parent or other adult in addition to a friend. No other demographic characteristics or school-related variables were related to talking with someone about dating violence. Youth whose dating violence involved witnesses to the violence and who associated anger and jealousy with the violence were significantly more likely to have talked to someone about the dating violence. The findings are consistent with the general help-seeking literature in determining that adolescents rarely speak with adults about interpersonal problems. The findings suggest that prevention programs should address how adolescents can help their peers deal with dating-violence victimization. Programs should provide knowledge and skill on how to intervene without increasing the danger to the youth who intervenes. This study was part of a larger study that examined dating violence in an urban, public high school located in southeastern Michigan. A modified version of the Revised Conflict Tactic Scales measured the prevalence and severity of dating violence. Questions were analyzed separately in relation to the factors related to youth talking to someone about the violent incident. 3 tables, 45 references, and appended response options for survey questions