Social Norms About Dating and Relationship Violence and Gender Among Adolescents: Systematic Review of Measures Used in Dating and Relationship Violence Research
Date
2023
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Trauma, Violence, & Abuse
Abstract
Adolescent dating and relationship violence (DRV) is widespread and associated with increased risk of subsequent poor
mental health outcomes and partner violence. Shifting social norms (i.e., descriptive norms of perceived behavior and
injunctive norms of acceptable behavior among a reference group of important others) may be important for reducing DRV.
However, few DRV studies assess norms, measurement varies, and evidence on measure quality is diffuse. We aimed to map
and assess how studies examining DRV measured social norms concerning DRV and gender. We conducted a systematic
review of DRV literature reporting on the use and validity of such measures among participants aged 10–18 years. Searches
included English peer-reviewed and grey literature identified via nine databases; Google Scholar; organization websites;
reference checking; known studies; and expert requests. We identified 24 eligible studies from the Americas (N=15), Africa
(N=4), and Europe (N=5) using 40 eligible measures of DRV norms (descriptive: N=19; injunctive: N=14) and gender norms
(descriptive: N=1; injunctive: N=6). No measure was shared across studies. Most measures were significantly associated
with DRV outcomes and most had a defined reference group. Other evidence of quality was mixed. DRV norms measures
sometimes specified heterosexual relationships but rarely separated norms governing DRV perpetrated by girls and boys.
None specified sexual-minority relationships. Gender norms measures tended to focus on violence, but missed broader
gendered expectations underpinning DRV. Future research should develop valid, reliable DRV norms and gender norms
measures, and assess whether interventions’ impact on norms mediates impact on DRV.
Description
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Keywords
dating violence, social norms, intimate partner violence, measurement
Citation
Meiksin, R., Bonell, C., Bhatia, A., Melendez-Torres, G. J., Kyegombe, N., & Kohli, A. (2023). Social norms about dating and relationship violence and gender among adolescents: systematic review of measures used in dating and relationship violence research. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 15248380231155526.