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

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the direct and indirect relationships between romantic myths of love and teen dating violence victimization (physical and psychological), considering the mediating role of tolerant attitudes toward abuse and the moderator role of gender. A sample of 467 adolescents who had a dating relationship at that time or in the previous 12 months (45.6% boys, Mage = 15.09, SDage = 1.46) participated. Results showed that tolerant attitudes toward abuse was a significant mediating variable in the relationship between romantic myths and psychological dating violence victimization only in adolescent girls. Psychological dating violence victimization was also a mediating variable in the relationship between tolerant attitudes and physical dating violence victimization in adolescent girls. These findings highlight the relevance of tolerant attitudes toward abuse in understanding teen dating violence victimization, especially in adolescent girls, and the need to include these attitudes in prevention programs.