Influence of beliefs about romantic love on the justification of abusive behaviors among early adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: Romantic experiences during adolescence have an important influence on functioning later in life. Romantic love has been associated with the acceptance of abusive behaviors. This study examined the relationship between myths of romantic love and the perceived severity of different types of abusive behaviors, as well as the influence of gender. Methods: The sample comprised 448 Spanish adolescents (M = 12.92 years old; SD = 0.85), of which 50.3% were male and 49.7% were female. Participants were evaluated in the school setting. The Perception of Abuse Scale and the Myths, Fallacies, and Misconceptions about Romantic Love Scale were administered. Results: Statistically significant negative associations between the myths of romantic love and the perceived severity of abusive behaviors were found. Myths regarding possession, dedication, and exclusivity were associated with a lower perceived severity of abusive behaviors in adolescent males. Myths regarding the omnipotence of love were associated with a lower perceived severity of abusive behaviors in adolescent females. Believing in jealousy as a demonstration of love (myth of jealousy) and in the need to establish a steady union when you love someone (marriage myth) explained a lower perceived severity of abusive behaviors in regression models. However, being female and having these beliefs explained a higher perceived severity of abusive behaviors. Conclusions: The myths of romantic love are already present during early adolescence. These beliefs are implicated in the construction of gender inequality and difficulties in the identification of dating abuse behavior severity. A gendered perspective is necessary to understand this issue. Early intervention strategies should address the cognitive and emotional components of intimate relationships.

Relationships Among Romantic Myths, Tolerant Attitudes Toward Abuse, and Teen Dating Violence Victimization: The Moderator Role of Gender

“…Firstly, results showed positive correlations between romantic myths of love and physical TDV victimization in adolescent boys and girls, and positive correlations with psychological TDV victimization only in adolescent girls. These results confirm the existence of relationships between adolescents’ beliefs in romantic myths and TDV victimization, in line with previous studies (Cava et al, 2020a, 2020b; Ruiz-Palomino et al, 2021a; Víllora et al, 2019), and they also show interesting differences between adolescent boys and girls. A stronger link between romantic myths and psychological TDV victimization was observed in adolescent girls.…”

“…Therefore, it is essential to carry out interventions during early adolescence aimed at helping them to build healthy romantic relationships. Although the results of this study have only supported the mediating role of tolerant attitudes toward abuse in adolescent girls, romantic myths have a strong impact on boys and girls (Rodríguez-Castro et al, 2013;Ruiz-Palomino et al, 2021a, 2021b, and both need to learn appropriate ways to build healthy romantic relationships. In this regard, some TDV prevention programs have been developed in school contexts, aimed at helping adolescents develop a healthier concept of love, improve their socio-emotional skills, and increase their awareness about all forms of partner abuse (Cava et al, 2022;Hielscher et al, 2021;Lee & Wong, 2020).…”

“…These beliefs are highly influenced by the peer group and the social media, and they contribute greatly to adolescents’ construction of their ideal concept of love (Bonomi et al, 2013; Hefner & Wilson, 2013; Lelaurin et al, 2021; Rodríguez-Castro et al, 2013; Ruiz-Palomino et al, 2021a). The myths of romantic love include beliefs such as the power of love to remedy all kinds of difficulties, the need to have a romantic relationship in order to be happy, considering jealousy a sign of love, the perception of love as suffering, and the existence of a soulmate as our one true love (Carrascosa et al, 2019; Rodríguez-Castro et al, 2013; Papp et al, 2017; Ruiz-Palomino et al, 2021a, 2021b). For adolescents who believe in these romantic myths to a greater extent, it might be more difficult to identify some aggressive and control behaviors performed by their partner as forms of violence.…”

Romantic myths and cyber dating violence victimization in Spanish adolescents: A moderated mediation model

“…These romantic beliefs are developed during childhood and adolescence, through the socialization process, and they are strongly internalized when adolescents begin their first dating relationships (Hefner et al, 2017;Lamy, 2016;Tanner et al, 2003). Because these romantic myths include viewing jealousy and control as a sign of love, believing in the omnipotence of love, and associating love with suffering (Rodríguez-Castro et al, 2013;Ruiz-Palomino et al, 2021a, 2021bTanner et al, 2003), they might be linked with a lower perception of some cyber-control behaviors as abusive behaviors. Thus, certain behaviors carried out by their partner, such as asking for their passwords, checking their chats, using social networks to control who they are with and where, or even requiring them to block contacts from their social networks or delete photos from their profile, could be interpreted as normal behaviors in a dating relationship.…”

“…The belief in romantic myths of love is frequent in adolescents' first dating relationships, decreasing their awareness of some abusive behaviors as a form of dating violence (Carrascosa et al, 2019;Nardi-Rodríguez et al, 2018;Ruiz-Palomino et al, 2021a, 2021b. The adolescents' romantic beliefs include an idealized representation of dating relationships, considering that love can overcome all barriers, the conviction that there is only one true love, and the idea of love at first sight (Driesmans et al, 2016;Sprecher & Metts, 1999).…”