Perceptions of Adolescents, Parents, and School Personnel From a Predominantly Cuban American Community Regarding Dating and Teen Dating Violence Prevention

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of dating relationships and teen dating violence prevention within a predominantly Cuban American community in Miami-Dade County. Eight focus groups (n = 74 participants) with adolescents of Hispanic origin (n = 29), their parents (n = 29), and school personnel (n = 16) were conducted and analyzed using content analysis. Four themes characterized the nature and context of dating relationships among adolescents of Hispanic origin: YOLO -You Only Live Once, cultural unity but social division, dating is not going out, and the social environment challenges healthy relationships. The information generated from this study can be used to develop culturally tailored teen dating violence prevention programs targeting youth of Hispanic origin.

Getting In, Being In, Staying In, and Getting Out

“…The importance of culture in adolescent dating and TDV has been discussed in research with African American and Latino youth (Adams & Williams, 2014; Gonzalez-Guarda et al, 2014; Harper, Gannon, Watson, Catania, & Dolcini, 2004). For example, Mexican American girls suggested that aspects of their culture are protective against dating violence, such as strict parenting and an emphasis on educational attainment (Haglund, Belknap, & Garcia, 2012).…”

School Personnel’s Bystander Action in Situations of Dating Violence, Sexual Violence, and Sexual Harassment Among High School Teens: A Qualitative Analysis

“…To date, there is a scarcity of research that has examined school personnel’s perceptions of DV, SV, and SH, and even less regarding school personnel’s perception and observations of DV, SV, and SH bystander action. Indeed, we were only able to locate two published studies (i.e., Gonzalez-Guarda et al, 2014; Khubchandani et al, 2012) that examined school personnel’s perceptions of DV, SV, and SH; none of these studies specifically examined bystander action among school personnel.…”

Workplace Aggression in Cuban Health Care Settings

“…Dillon, de la Rosa, Sastre, and Ibañez (2013) reported familismo , or the strong familial attachment of Hispanic persons to their family, also could be a protective factor preventing the adoption of alcohol and drug abuse in Cubans who recently immigrated to the United States. Gonzalez-Guarda et al (2014) identified that acculturation to U.S. norms may be a contributor to the intimate partner violence occurring in Cuban immigrants. The researchers trialed a family-based intervention which has since shown success at reducing intimate partner violence by or against their study participants.…”