Predictors of Dating Violence: A Multivariate Analysis

Abstract

A multivariate approach was used to determine the pattern of predictors associated with engaging in dating violence. Predictors were selected whose relationship to dating violence has been established by earlier research: attitudes toward violence, sex-role attitudes, romantic jealousy, general levels of interpersonal aggression, verbal aggression, and verbal and physical aggression received from one’s partner. Participants included 305 introductory psychology student volunteers (227 females and 78 males) who completed a set of scales related to dating relationships. Expecting different patterns of predictors to emerge for men and women, we performed separate multiple regression analyses for each. Of the set of predictors employed, receipt of physical violence from one’s partner emerged as the largest predictor of expressed violence for both men and women. In addition, higher scores on attitudes toward violence and verbal aggression, and less traditional sex-role attitudes emerged as significant predictors of expressed violence formen. For women, less accepting attitudes toward violence, more traditional sex-role attitudes, feelings of romantic jealousy, higher general levels of interpersonal aggression, and verbal aggression were predictive of expressed violence. The implications of our findings for future research are discussed.

Undergraduates’ Attitudes toward Dating Violence: Its Relationship with Sexism and Narcissism

“…Participants who expressed to have committed violence in a relationship had higher acceptance levels of dating violence compared to those who didn't commit violence. This finding is supported by Bookwala, Frieze, Smith, and Ryan (1992), who found that attitude towards violence predicted violent behaviors. Another explanation is that the individuals justified violence in order to avoid criticizing their own behaviors.…”

“…The literature indicates that men have higher attitudes towards male psychological dating violence (Price et al, 1999). Moreover, both national and international literature shows that men have higher acceptance levels of dating violence compared to women (Mercer, 1988;O'Keefe, 1997;Sezer, 2008;Bookwala, Frieze, Smith, & Ryan, 1992). Considering the Turkey's cultural characteristics, it can be stated that the paternalistic structure is dominant, and the men can be expressed to play an approving role of the existent dating violence.…”

“…The literature shows that having a relationship involving violence increases the acceptance level of dating violence (Windle & Mrug, 2009;Price et al, 1999). Moreover, the relationship between being exposed to violence and committing violence (Bookwala, Frieze, Smith, & Ryan, 1992) and the relationship between being the victim and witness of violence and being the offender (Foshee ve ark., 2016;O'Keefe, 1997;Carr, & VanDeusen, 2002) emphasize the victims' risk of being the offender after a while. Considering the relationship between committing violence and the positive attitude towards dating violence, it can be indicated that being the victim of violence directly or indirectly might lead to positive attitudes towards dating violence.…”

Neighborhood-Level Factors Associated with Physical Dating Violence Perpetration: Results of a Representative Survey Conducted in Boston, MA

“…The fact that more females than males reported physical dating violence perpetration did not surprise us, however, as more than 15 prior studies have also found female adolescents to report more dating violence perpetration than males. 24,34,36,[57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69] As stated in the Introduction, it is our view that the prevention of "common" dating violence is important and merits research attention because of the potential for even non-severe physical violence to result in harm, and because it has the potential to normalize the use of physical assault in all types of interpersonal relationships.…”

Attitudes Toward Dating Violence Among College Students in Mainland China: An Exploratory Study

“…An individual's attitude toward both male perpetrated and female perpetrated dating violence influences the likelihood of that individual becoming involved in a violent dating relationship in the present (Medeiros & Straus, 2004;O'Keefe, 1997;Bookwala, Frieze, Smith, & Ryan, 1992). Partners who hold attitudes that endorse dating violence are more likely to have been abusive in their relationships (Bookwala et al, 1992;O'Keefe, 1997) and to perpetrate dating violence later in life, particularly for males (Foshee et al, 2001). Data on females' attitudes toward dating violence in relation to actual perpetration is more limited compared to studies on males.…”