Predicting Teen Dating Violence Perpetration

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: With our study we aimed to (1) understand what factors uniquely conferred risk for physical and sexual forms of teen dating violence (TDV) perpetration and (2) create a screening algorithm to quantify perpetration risk on the basis of these factors. METHODS:A total of 1031 diverse public high school students living in Southeast Texas participated in our study (56% female; 29% African American, 28% white, and 31% Hispanic). Self-report measures concerning TDV and associated risk factors were completed annually for 6 years. RESULTS:Results suggested that family violence (domestic violence exposure, maltreatment) together with deficits in conflict resolution incrementally improved our forecasts above and beyond lifetime history of physical TDV perpetration (net reclassification improvement = 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.30-0.59). Meanwhile, a violent dating history (TDV sexual perpetration, sexual victimization, and emotional perpetration) and acceptance of TDV incrementally improved our models for forecasting sexual forms of perpetration (net reclassification improvement = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.24-0.58). These models adequately discriminated between future perpetrators and nonoffenders (area under the curve statistic >0.70; 95% CI: 0.69-0.74). Overall, adolescents with positive test results on our algorithms were over twice as likely to perpetrate dating violence over the course of 6 years. CONCLUSIONS:Our study represents one of the first applications of reclassification analyses to psychosocial research in a pediatric population. The result is a theoretically informed, empirically based algorithm that can adequately estimate the likelihood of physical and sexual TDV perpetration during vulnerable developmental periods. These findings can immediately aid emerging preventive initiatives for this increasing public health concern. Dr Cohen and Ms Menon conceptualized and designed the study, conducted all analyses, drafted the initial manuscript, and reviewed and revised the manuscript; Dr Shorey reviewed and revised multiple drafts of the manuscript and provided content expertise on teen dating violence; Dr Temple designed the original study that provided the data for the current study, coordinated and supervised data collection, and critically reviewed the manuscript; and all authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work. WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT:Because of the deleterious consequences of teen dating violence (TDV), identifying which adolescents are most likely to perpetrate violent behavior is an important public health priority. To date, ∼50 risk factors for TDV perpetration have been identified. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:Using a panel study design and translational analytic approach, we identified which factors conferred the greatest risk for prospective physical and sexual TDV perpetration. With our proposed algorithms, we offer the first empirically based assessment tools for TDV perpetration.

Qualitative experiences of Australian mental health staff with students exposed to domestic violence

“…In addition, it has been reported that 65% of women in Australia who have experienced DV had children in their care at the time of the abuse, and that these children had either seen or heard the violence as it was occurring (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2017). Similar to the effects of trauma on child development, research on the impact of DV on children has found that DV is associated with greater risk of childhood mental illness (Sonego et al, 2018), problems engaging socially with peers (Vikse Nicholson et al, 2018), lowered academic achievement (Kiesel et al, 2016), and greater lifetime risk of DV exposure (Cohen et al, 2018). Enlow et al (2012) found that young children who had witnessed DV had lower intelligence scores when compared to children who had not experienced DV.…”

Teen Dating Violence and Stalking

“…Across the four levels of the social ecology described here, there has been the greatest amount of research on predictors of TDV at the individual level. Individual-level predictors of perpetration include prior aggressive and antisocial behaviors such as engaging in delinquency and bullying (Foshee et al 2014), holding attitudes accepting of traditional gender norms and condoning dating violence (Cohen et al 2018;Connolly et al 2010), anger and hostility (Vagi et al 2013), internalizing symptoms such as depression and anxiety, and substance use (Chen et al 2018). While internalizing symptoms like depression and anxiety predict TDV perpetration, the effect is found to be stronger among girls compared to boys (McCloskey and Lichter 2003).…”

“…Certain factors within the family are important predictors of perpetrating TDV. A significant body of research demonstrates that exposure to violence and victimization in the home increases the risk of TDV (Chen et al 2018;Cohen et al 2018). This includes both being a direct victim of violence and witnessing violence in the home (such as domestic abuse between parents, or a parent abusing a sibling).…”

Family Functioning among Rural Teens and Caregivers: Interactive Influence on Teen Dating Violence

“…Notwithstanding inconsistent estimates of the prevalence of dating violence among different groups of teens, the consequences associated with this experience are profound. A robust body of research documents numerous short-and long-term adverse physical, psychological, and academic outcomes (Chiodo et al, 2011;Cohen, Shorey, Menon, & Temple, 2018;Foshee, McNaughton Reyes, Gottfredson, Chang, & Ennett, 2013). For example, victims of teen dating violence have been found to experience multiple symptoms of anxiety and depression (Exner-Cortens, Eckenrode, & Rothman, 2013).…”