Dating Violence, Social Learning Theory, and Gender: A Multivariate Analysis

Abstract

The study of violence between dating partners is a logical extension of interest in marital violence. However, little of this research tests explanations of intimate violence using multivariate techniques, and only recently have such tests occurred within a theoretical framework. Drawing on a recent social learning model of courtship violence (Riggs & O'leary, 1989), this paper empirically examines constructs hypothesized to be predictive of the use of dating violence and investigates possible gender differences in the underlying causal structure of such violence. Logit analysis indicates that parent-child violence, drug use, and know ledge of use of dating violence by others predict the use of courtship violence by females. Belief that violence between intimates is justifiable, drug use, and parental divorce are related to perpetration of dating aggression by males. Explanations for these results and the importance of a multivariate approach to the problem are discussed.

Incarcerated Adolescents' Experiences as Perpetrators of Sexual Assault

“…Rickert and Wiemann's review of date rape found a prevalence of 20% to 68% for adolescents, 27 which is much higher than our total figures for all sexual assaults. Risks for dating violence include parent-child violence, drug use, knowing a perpetrator of date violence, and especially for males believing that violence is justified to solve problems, 28 which are similar to our findings. The Minnesota survey found similar results with the addition of frequent drug and/or alcohol use and suicidal behavior.…”

Research on Domestic Violence in the 1990s: Making Distinctions

“…Rather than review this extensive literature here, we would simply like to point out that it has been a rich source of theoretical insight regarding partner violence. A great many of the multivariate analyses of the correlates of violence have been done in this context (Bookwala, Frieze, Smith, & Ryan, 1992; Foo & Margolin, 1995; Riggs & O'Leary, 1996; Riggs, O'Leary, & Breslin, 1990; Tontodonato & Crew, 1992; Wyatt, 1994). Stets's theoretical work on the centrality of control issues grew from her work on dating violence (Stets & Pirog‐Good, 1990), and Lloyd & Emery's (Lloyd & Emery, 2000) recent book develops a general theoretical framework for understanding physical violence in dating relationships that could be used to address partner violence in all types of relationships.…”

The Intergenerational Transmission of Spouse Abuse: A Meta‐Analysis

“…By contrast, in a more recent publication, Hotaling and Sugarman (1990) failed to confirm the association between family‐of‐origin violence and current marital aggression once other risk factors were controlled. Other studies found a weak link (e.g., Tontodonato & Crew, 1992) or no link between aggression in the family of origin and subsequent violent behavior as an adult (MacEwen & Barling, 1988). Therefore, although growing up in a violent family may put one at risk for using violence as an adult, the relationship is far from absolute.…”