Physical Aggression, Forced Sex, and Stalking Victimization by a Dating Partner: An Analysis of the NVAWS
Date
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This study used the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS) of women and men to estimate non-cohabitating dating violence prevalence by type (physical, forced sex, and stalking), associations between dating violence and other types of interpersonal violence across the lifespan, and association of dating violence with longer-term mental health including substance abuse. Among respondents aged 18-65, 8.3% of 6,790 women and 2.4% of 7,122 men experienced physical aggression, forced sex, or stalking victimization by a dating partner. Few (20.6% of women and 9.7% of men) reported more than one type of dating violence. Childhood physical aggression by a parent or guardian was strongly associated with subsequent dating violence risk for men and women. Dating violence (physical aggression specifically) was associated with current depressive symptoms, current therapeutic drug use (antidepressants, tranquilizers or pain medications), and current recreation drug use for women. Implications for parents, survivors, health care and service providers are discussed. (Author Abstract)