Predictors of Violent Behaviours in Young Adults Dating Relationships

Abstract

Abstract:The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of dating violence and jealousy among university students. The role of situational and background factors of risk in explaining violent behaviour was examined. The study included 33 men and 89 women participants, from 20 to 24 years of age, from the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Mostar. For the assessment of dating violence, The Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2) Partner-to-Partner was used. Males and females estimated the intensity of their jealousy in hypothetical situations presenting scenarios of emotional and sexual infidelity. The results of the analyses of the total sample showed that boys and girls differ significantly with respect to the frequency of committing and exposure to violent behaviour in a dating relationship. Men were more often the perpetrators of sexual abuse and threatening behaviour in relation to women. At the same time they were more often exposed to various forms of examined abuse in comparison to women. No differences in the intensity of jealousy between men and women were found. However, a regression analysis showed that jealousy, as a contextual variable, and earlier violent behaviour, as well as a situational variable, is a significant predictor of the exposure and perpetration of dating violence. The results of this study should be taken into account in the development and implementation of programmes for the prevention of violent behaviour in youth adults dating relationships.