Dating Violence Perpetration and/or Victimization and Associated Sexual Risk Behaviors Among a Sample of Inner-City African American and Hispanic Adolescent Females

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence of physical and psychological dating violence victimization and perpetration reported by inner-city African American and Hispanic adolescent girls as well as associated risky sexual behaviors among this population. Participants in this study were 10th- and 11th-grade female students from seven inner-city Chicago public high schools. Participants were administered with the Safe Dates measures of physical violence victimization, physical violence perpetration, psychological abuse victimization, and psychological perpetration. Approximately half of the sample reported some psychological dating violence victimization and perpetration, and approximately one third reported some physical victimization and perpetration. Hispanic adolescents were significantly more likely to report psychological victimization, whereas African American adolescents were significantly more likely to report physical dating violence perpetration. Victimization was found to predict perpetration in this population, and adolescents who acknowledged being both victims and perpetrators of dating violence were more likely to report having had vaginal sex and a higher number of past-year sexual partners. Inner-city African American and Hispanic adolescent girls may be particularly vulnerable to dating violence victimization and perpetration, which may be due to a number of other social factors not explored within this study. Furthermore, African American adolescent girls continue to engage in behaviors that increase their risk for negative health outcomes, predominantly STIs, highlighting the need for effective interventions with this population.

The role of fathers in reducing dating violence victimization and sexual risk behaviors among a national sample of Black adolescents

“…For instance, in their study of dating violence perpetration, victimization, and associated sexual risk behaviors among a sample of inner city adolescent females, Alleyne-Green, Coleman-Cowger, and Henry (2011) found that 35% of Black and Hispanic females reported having experienced at least one instance of physical victimization in a dating relationship. Additionally, 56% of their sample reported psychological victimization.…”

Dating and Sexuality among Minority Adolescents with Disabilities: An Application of Sociocultural Theory

“…A study of 305 Hispanic and African American tenth-and eleventh-grade girls with disabilities found that 35% reported physical victimization, and 66% reported psychological victimization in a dating relationship. Hispanic girls were significantly more likely to report psychological victimization, and African Americans girls were more likely to report physical victimization (Alleyne-Green et al, 2012). Furthermore, adolescents with disabilities are more likely than other adolescents to be survivors of sexual assault specifically (Alriksson-Schmidt, Armour, & Thibadeau, 2010; MINORITY ADOLESCENTS WITH DISABILITIES Turner et al, 2011).…”

“…Correspondingly, sociocultural theory posits and research has shown that race, ethnicity, and culture impact the ways in which adolescents' sexual experiences and development unfold (Blacher & McIntyre, 2006). Adolescents with disabilities (Shandra) and those who are American Indian, Hispanic, and African American are more likely to experience sexual victimization and pregnancy as adolescents (Alleyne-Green, Coleman-Cowger, & Henry, 2012;Rutman, Taualii, Ned, & Tetrick, 2012). Further, American Indian, Hispanic, and African Americans disproportionately experience disabilities and receive special education (Artiles, Kozleski, Trent, Osher, & Ortiz, 2010;Artiles, Rueda, Salazar, & Higareda, 2005).…”

The Influence of Parental Aggression and Cultural Gender Role Beliefs on Hispanic College Women's Experiences with Psychological Aggression

“…As many as 82% of college women have reported experiencing victimization of psychological aggression in their intimate relationships (Alleyne-Green et al, 2012;Prospero & Vohra-Gupta, 2007), and as many as 50% of racial/ethnic minority women have reportedly perpetrated psychological aggression toward their significant others (Alleyne-Green et al, 2012). Defined as any behavior, threat, or coercive tactic intended to cause psychological/emotional trauma to the victim (CDC, 2014), rates of usage tend to peak in late adolescence and early adulthood, making IPV during this life stage particularly important to investigate further (Capaldi, Knoble, Shortt, & Kim, 2012).…”

“…Parental interactions influence daughters' ideas about themselves as a member of a relationship dyad (O'Sullivan et al, 2001;Raffaelli, & Ontai, 2001;Stephens et al, 2012). This becomes even more salient when examining populations where parental values are viewed as valuable and central to intimate relationship formation, as noted in Hispanic populations (Alleyne-Green et al, 2012;Castillo, Perez, Castillo, & Ghosheh, 2010).…”