Psychological Abuse, Mental Health, and Acceptance of Dating Violence Among Adolescents
Date
2016
Journal Title
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Publisher
The Journal of Adolescent Health
Abstract
Purpose: Existing literature indicates that acceptance of dating violence is a significant and robust risk factor for psychological dating abuse perpetration. Past work also indicates a significant relationship between psychological dating abuse perpetration and poor mental health. However, no known research has examined the relationship between acceptance of dating violence, perpetration of dating abuse, and mental health. In addition to exploring this complex relationship, the current study examines whether psychological abuse perpetration mediates the relationship between acceptance of dating violence and mental health (i.e., internalizing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and hostility). Methods: Three waves of longitudinal data were obtained from 1,042 ethnically diverse high school students in Texas. Participants completed assessments of psychological dating abuse perpetration, acceptance of dating violence, and internalizing symptoms (hostility, and symptoms of anxiety and depression). Results: As predicted, results indicated that perpetration of psychological abuse was significantly associated with acceptance of dating violence and all internalizing symptoms. Furthermore, psychological abuse mediated the relationship between acceptance of dating violence and internalizing symptoms. Conclusions: Findings from the current study suggest that acceptance of dating violence is an important target for the prevention of dating violence and related emotional distress. Implications and Contribution: Study findings indicate that perpetration of psychological abuse is significantly associated with acceptance of dating violence and select mental health variables (i.e., anxiety, depression, hostility). Moreover, psychological abuse perpetration mediated the relationship between acceptance of dating violence and internalizing symptoms. To be effective in preventing mental health problems, interventions may benefit from targeting acceptance and perpetration of dating violence. (Author Abstract)
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Keywords
child abuse, teens, youth, intimate partner violence, psychological effects, research, ,
Citation
Temple, Jeff R. ; Choi, Hye Jeong ;, Elmquist, JoAnna ; Hecht, Michael ; Miller-Day, Michelle ; Stuart, Gregory. L. ; Brem, Meagan ; Wolford-Clevenger, Caitlin. (2016). Psychological Abuse, Mental Health, and Acceptance of Dating Violence Among Adolescents. The Journal of Adolescent Health, 59(2), 197-202.