The Synergy of Family and Neighborhood on Rural Dating Violence Victimization

Abstract

Introduction Rural adolescents are at high risk for dating violence victimization (DVV), which has serious negative consequences. Understanding more about the conditions that increase DVV risk for rural adolescents is needed to inform prevention efforts. In response to calls for examining the influence of upper levels of the social ecology on adolescent dating violence, this study examined whether associations between the family context and physical DVV were conditioned by the characteristics of the neighborhoods in which the family resided. Methods Data were from a multi-wave longitudinal study of 3,236 rural adolescents nested in 65 block groups, which defined neighborhoods. Data were collected between 2003 and 2005. Multilevel growth curve modeling was conducted in 2014 to test hypothesized synergistic effects of the family and neighborhood on trajectories of physical DVV from grade 8 to 12. Results Low parental closeness was a DVV risk in residentially stable (p<0.001), but not unstable, neighborhoods. Family aggression was a DVV risk, regardless of neighborhood characteristics (p=0.001). Low parental monitoring and rule setting were not DVV risks and their effects were not moderated by neighborhood characteristics. Neighborhood ethnic heterogeneity was significantly (p<0.05) positively associated with DVV, but neighborhood economic disadvantage, social disorganization, and violence were not associated with DVV. None of the effects varied by sex of the adolescent, across time (grade), or by the combination of sex and time. Conclusions Findings demonstrate the importance of considering the family and neighborhood, and particularly their synergistic effects in efforts to prevent adolescent DVV.

Perceptions and predictors of dating violence among nursing and midwifery students

“…In the model, background risk factors include gender, race/ethnicity, having a parent with less than a high school education, living in a single‐parent home, witnessing inter‐parental conflict and experiencing parental violence, and divorce (Foshee, Reyes et al., ; Foshee, Reyes, & Ennett, ; Reyes et al., ; Riggs & O'Leary, ). Situational risk factors include anger, anxiety, substance use (e.g., heavy alcohol and marijuana use) (East & Hokoda, ; Foshee, Chang, McNaughton Reyes, Chen, & Ennett, ; Gressard et al., ; Reyes et al., ; Shorey, Brasfield, Zapor, Febres, & Stuart, ), depression, dominance and violence approval (Ozaki & Otis, ), not being religious, jealousy (Collibee & Furman, ) and relationship length, and satisfaction.…”

How is neighborhood social disorganization associated with diabetes outcomes? A multilevel investigation of glycemic control and self-reported use of acute or emergency health care services

“…Ethnic heterogeneity is hypothesized to affect health outcomes because it can contribute to lack of communication between neighborhoods, hinder social ties, and increase social isolation, leading to less social control and reduced neighborhood collective efficacy [ 12 ]. Indeed, a number of researchers have found increasing ethnic heterogeneity to be associated with increased rates of dating violence victimization [ 16 ], increased rates of assault, juvenile violence, or violent crime [ 17 – 20 ], and weakened perceptions of collective efficacy [ 21 ]. Even in the study described above examining cardiometabolic risk factors among African Americans, the composite measure of NSD included dimensions assessing ethnic heterogeneity [ 15 ].…”

A Socioecological Perspective on Intimate Partner Violence Research: A Decade in Review

“…However, there is also evidence that residential stability can contribute to IPV risk, especially in communities with concentrated disadvantage or norms that condone IPV (Beyer et al, ). In a large, multiwave study of more than 3,000 rural adolescents, Foshee, Chang, McNaughton Reyes, Chen, and Ennett () examined family and neighborhood factors that influence the likelihood of dating violence victimization, which was defined as any act of physical violence. Lack of parental closeness was related to a higher risk for dating violence victimization but only in neighborhoods that were residentially stable.…”

“…Lack of parental closeness was related to a higher risk for dating violence victimization but only in neighborhoods that were residentially stable. Ethnic heterogeneity in the neighborhood, which may relate to fewer social ties or less communication within communities (Beyer et al, ), also predicted higher risk of dating violence victimization (Foshee et al, ). More research is needed to understand whether type of violence might explain contradictory findings.…”