Cyber Dating Abuse Victimization: Links With Psychosocial Functioning

Abstract

It is well established that technology can be used to enact intimate partner violence (IPV). However, less is known about how cyber dating abuse (CDA) is associated with psychosocial functioning, especially when accounting for other forms of frequently co-occurring IPV victimization. The current study sought to determine the unique associations of CDA victimization when controlling for multiple forms of in-person IPV victimization. Two hundred seventy-eight men and women between 17 and 25 years of age ( M = 20.5, SD = 1.9) who were currently in an intimate relationship for at least 3 months participated in this study. Participants completed questionnaires about their IPV and CDA victimization, as well as a range of indices of psychosocial well-being. Experiencing CDA victimization was related to increased alcohol use for both men and women, and increased fear of partner for women, even after controlling for in-person IPV. For depression, perceived stress, relationship satisfaction, quality of life, social support, and post-traumatic stress, CDA victimization did not predict levels above in-person IPV victimization. Although these results suggest some unique associations between CDA victimization and aspects of psychosocial well-being that require further attention, they also highlight that CDA often occurs within a broader pattern of abuse that includes in-person IPV. These results suggest that the need for prevention and treatment for relationships that involve in-person abuse is still most salient, and that a narrow focus on CDA may limit the utility of prevention and treatment efforts. Further work is needed to integrate research on in-person and CDA victimization, rather than to create a new field of research and practice based solely on CDA.

Prevalence and Determinants of Dating Violence: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses

“…A high prevalence of DV among this young population illustrates profound mental health implications. Moreover, DV was found to be associated with behavioral abnormalities, alcoholism and substance abuse, and several psychiatric comorbidities (Burton et al, 2016;Duerksen & Woodin, 2019;Y. Park et al, 2018;Taquette & Maia Monteiro, 2019).…”

“…More importantly, DV profoundly impacts the psychosocial processes and mental health of the victims (Temple et al, 2016). Studies have shown high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, stress disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder among the victims of DV (Burton, Halpern-Felsher, Rehm, Rankin, & Humphreys, 2016;Duerksen & Woodin, 2019; Y. Park, Mulford, & Blachman-Demner, 2018).…”

“…Park, Mulford, & Blachman-Demner, 2018). The long-term psychosocial outcomes of DV may include fear to new relationship, difficulties in establishing meaningful communication, social isolation, loneliness, and increased risks of subsequent DV victimization and perpetration (Duerksen & Woodin, 2019;Y. Park et al, 2018).…”

Dating Violence and the Impact of Technology: Examining the Lived Experiences of Sorority Members

“…Almost every respondent who noted having experienced intimate partner sexual, physical, and emotional violence also documented experiencing intimate partner cyber violence (92.6, 96, and 94.8%, respectively;Marganski and Melander, 2015). Thus, cyber intimate partner violence is perhaps a form of violence on its own and exacerbates and contributes to other forms of in-person intimate partner violence (Duerksen & Woodin, 2021), warranting further exploration.…”

The Role of Individual Differences in Cyber Dating Abuse Perpetration

“…To measure perpetration of CDA, participants completed a modified (Supplementary Data) version of the Cyber Aggression in Relationships Scale (CARS). 48 Although originally threefactor approach to the CARS was recommended, 48 more recent research 49 found no satisfactory factor structure or model fit and recommended treating the CARS as unidimensional. The CARS is composed of 16 items [''Sent threatening or harassing messages to my partner via text or social media'' and ''I have checked my partner's messages (e.g., e-mail, Facebook, phone) without them knowing''; a = 0.96].…”