The influence of gender on pathways from lifetime exposure to interparental violence to sexual teen dating violence victimization: A two-wave study
Date
2020
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Victimology
Abstract
Sexual teen dating violence is highly prevalent and linked to numerous mental health
problems. However, risk factors for this form of violence remain understudied. This study used a
short-term prospective longitudinal design to investigate gendered pathways from exposure to
interparental violence to sexual teen dating violence victimization through acceptance of violence and
self-efficacy to disclose violence. A total of 2,564 high school students completed self-report
questionnaires. Path analysis revealed that general exposure to interparental violence was associated
with acceptance of girl-inflicted violence, which in turn, predicted girls’ sexual victimization at Wave 2.
Lower self-efficacy to disclose abuse at Wave 1 was also directly associated with girls’ sexual
victimization at Wave 2. Path analysis failed to predict boys’ sexual victimization. Effect sizes were
small but underlined the relevance of pursuing prevention programs that aim to promote self-efficacy
to disclose violence and to reduce acceptance of teen dating violence, especially among girls.
Description
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Article
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Keywords
self-efficacy, adolescence, Relational abuse, acceptance of violence, International Resources, Canada
Citation
Ruel C., Théorêt V., Lavoie F. Blais M., & Hébert M. (2020). The influence of gender on pathways from lifetime exposure to interparental violence to sexual teen dating violence victimization: A two-wave study. International Journal of Victimology. 17(36).