Dating violence and associated factors among male and female adolescents in Spain

Abstract

Background Dating Violence (DV) is a public health problem that is on the rise. In this paper, we aim to analyse different factors associated with DV victimization among female and male adolescents in Spain, considering socioeconomic circumstances, sexual orientation and the presence of different attitudes and experiences related to violence. Methods Cross-sectional data from a convenience sample of 640 ever-partnered adolescents aged 13 to 17 at schools in the cities of Alicante (n = 359, 50.1% girls) and Terrassa (n = 281, 51.9%) in the context of an educational intervention to promote healthy relationships. We calculated the prevalence of different forms of DV (physical, sexual and control and fear) and carried out multivariate regression models by sex. Results 5.5% of girls and 8.7% of boys declared having suffered lifetime physical and/or sexual violence, while 22% of girls and 20.5% of boys reported control and/or fear victimization. The likelihood of DV was higher among migrants and those with foreign-born parents (aPR girls = 2.1 CI95%: 1.1–3.9; aPR boys = 1.9: CI95%: 1.0–3.6); prior experiences of abuse (aPR girls = 1.6; CI95%: 1.0–2.6; aPR boys = 1.7; CI95%: 1.1–2.6); and those who showed higher levels of machismo (aPR girls = 1.0; CI95%: 1.0–1.1; aPR boys = 1.0; CI95%: 1.0–1.1). In girls, DV increased among those who reported lesbian/bisexual orientation and poor relationship with teachers. Conclusions DV is socially patterned and increases among LGB adolescents (especially in the case of girls), migrants, and those with foreign-born parents, and adolescents who reported prior experiences of violence in childhood. Future DV prevention programs should consider social inequalities in the likelihood of DV and by reinforcing adolescents’ abilities to recognize social support sources and reject machismo and violence.

Healthy and Equitable Interpersonal Relationships, Health Inequalities and Socio‐Educational Interventions: A Conceptual Framework for Action

“…They determine personal experiences and generate a differential exposure to certain relational patterns; they will also determine vulnerability to certain events. This gives rise to phenomena such as bullying and sexist, racist and LGTBIphobic violence, whose serious impact on health has been repeatedly demonstrated 17,18 …”

“…They are the ideal period for building relationships based on respect and non‐violence 15 . As reported earlier, some children and youth experience violence against themselves, in their homes, educational centers, in social networks or on public transport 16,17 . They reproduce the violence they experience, perpetrating it toward their peers 18 .…”

“…This gives rise to phenomena such as bullying and sexist, racist and LGTBIphobic violence, whose serious impact on health has been repeatedly demonstrated. 17,18 These stratifications inherently entail population segregations, which have a profound impact on health and its inequalities. Segregation is common in our socio-historical context, particularly in urban contexts.…”

“…15 As reported earlier, some children and youth experience violence against themselves, in their homes, educational centers, in social networks or on public transport. 16,17 They reproduce the violence they experience, perpetrating it toward their peers. 18 Reports by Floods 15 have confirmed education is key to promoting healthy relational models.…”

Prevalence and Predictors of Perpetration of Cyberviolence Against a Dating Partner: A Cross-Cultural Study with Moroccan and Spanish Youth

“…Our study suggests the need to delve deeper into the meanings of specific behaviors in adolescent relationships, especially for boys, and analyze the thresholds of perception of violence or its concealment. Physical dating victimization is more prevalent in youth from disadvantaged groups in the United States (Boothe et al, 2014) and children of migrants or foreign-born parents in Spain, likely related to gender role stereotypes (Vives-Cases et al, 2021). More research is needed, given that early victimization predicts later dating violence and the health consequences of victimization are severe (Foshee et al, 2004; Orpinas et al, 2017).…”