The Temporal Association Between Traditional and Cyber Dating Abuse Among Adolescents

Abstract

While research has explored adolescents’ use of technology to perpetrate dating violence, little is known about how traditional in-person and cyber abuse are linked, and no studies have examined their relationship over time. Using our sample of 780 diverse adolescents (58% female), we found that traditional and cyber abuse were positively associated, and cyber abuse perpetration and victimization were correlated at each time point. Cyber abuse perpetration in the previous year (spring 2013) predicted cyber abuse perpetration one year later (spring 2014), while controlling for traditional abuse and demographic variables. In addition, physical violence victimization and cyber abuse perpetration and victimization predicted cyber abuse victimization the following year. These findings highlight the reciprocal nature of cyber abuse and suggest that victims may experience abuse in multiple contexts.

The impact of cyber dating abuse on self-esteem: The mediating role of emotional distress

“…It is important to note that ruminating on one's emotional distress may be perpetuating, as opposed to triggering, lowered self-esteem. Much like the cyclical nature of abuse, the process of cyber dating abuse is a continuous one, where the repetition of the negative message is related to the intensity of emotional distress (Temple et al, 2016). Self-verification theory (Swann, 1983) posits that individuals with low self-esteem may be drawn to partners who abuse and mistreat them, as they prefer feedback that confirms their pre-existing negative self-views.…”

“…Furthermore, those who experience multiple sources have the highest rates of mental health symptoms (Eshelman & Levendosky, 2012). Cyber dating abuse specifically, tends to coexist with other forms of dating aggression and is highly correlated with experiences of psychological abuse (Temple et al, 2016;Zweig, Lachman, Yahner, & Dank, 2014). Therefore, an assessment of cyber dating abuse likely implicates other abusive behaviors.…”

Sexting, Risk Behavior, and Mental Health in Adolescents: An Examination of 2015 Pennsylvania Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data

“…Teens report significant social pressure and/or coercion to send sexts, and though sexting teens typically expect their privacy to be maintained, 25% of students that received a sext reported forwarding it to a third party . Compared to adolescents who reported no pressure to sext, adolescents who were pressured into sending a sext were significantly more likely to report dating violence and anxiety during high school, a relationship that persists across time . Pressured adolescents also reported that the photo was seen by more third parties and were more likely to have problems with their peers as a result .…”

“…Clear gaps exist in the empirical and conceptual understanding of consensual and nonconsensual sexting and health risks . Specifically, in a large sample composed of both urban and rural high school students, to what degree is sexting related to key risk behaviors including sexual activity, tobacco use, alcohol and other drug use, injuries and violence, and mental health?…”

“…17,18 Compared to adolescents who reported no pressure to sext, adolescents who were pressured into sending a sext were significantly more likely to report dating violence and anxiety during high school, a relationship that persists across time. 19 Pressured adolescents also reported that the photo was seen by more third parties and were more likely to have problems with their peers as a result. 5 Structurally, surveys do not always distinguish between the more innocuous consensual sexting between intimate partners and the potentially more harmful nonconsensual sexting.…”