The most common type of abuse among dating adolescent is emotional. Emotional abuse can include threats or efforts to harm self-esteem. Female victims of intimate partner violence, or abuse, have increased risk of depressed mood, illicit substance use, antisocial behavior and suicidal behavior, according to a 2003 Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine study published by Timothy A. Roberts and colleagues.
Types
Physical dating violence refers to hitting, punching, pinching, shoving or kicking a romantic partner. Examples of emotional abuse include name-calling or keeping a partner away from friends and family. Sexual dating violence is forcing a partner to participate in a sexual act that is not consensual.
Prevalence
Of a nationwide sample of adolescents, 32 percent reported experiencing any violence in a heterosexual romantic relationship in the previous 18 months, according to a 2001 study published by Carolyn Tucker Halpern and colleagues in the "American Journal of Public Health." One in five reported only psychological violence and about one in 10 reported physical violence.
Characteristics
Emotional abuse is also the most prevalent form of abuse among gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, or GLBT, adolescents, according to a 2002 study published by Naomi Freedner and colleagues in the "Journal of Adolescent Health." A higher prevalence of dating violence is found in older age groups. The prevalence is similar for males and females. Physical dating abuse occurs more frequently among black students, at 13.9 percent, than among Hispanic or white students, at 9.3 and 7.0 percent respectively, according to the CDC.
Features
More than one in three teens say that their partners want to know who they are with and where they are at all time, according to the 2008 Tween and Teen Dating Violence and Abuse Study commissioned by Liz Claiborne Inc. and Loveisrespect.org. Twenty-nine percent of teens report that their boyfriends/girlfriends call them names and put them down.
Prevention
Advocates for Youth, an organization that works to promote youth issues, recommends that prevention program include education about abuse and warning signs and skill building. Participants should learn to communicate and resolve problems effectively. They should learn the negative health outcomes associated with abuse. Programs should incorporate materials specifically aimed at the GLBT community. Adolescents should learn to prevent abusive relationships and help friends who are already in one. Health care professionals should also screen for abuse.
References
- "Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine;" Longitudinal Effect of Intimate Partner Abuse on High-Risk Behavior Among Adolescents; Timothy A. Roberts, et al.; 2003.
- "American Journal of Public Health;" Partner Violence Among Adolescents in Opposite-Sex Romantic Relationships: Findings From the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health ; Carolyn Tucker Halpern, et al.; October 2001.
- CDC: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report May 19, 2006
- Tween and Teen Dating Violence and Abuse Study: 2008
- "Journal of Adolescent Health;" Dating Violence Among Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Adolescents: Results From a Community Survey.
