Dating violence in adolescents in residential care: frequency and associated factors

Abstract

Prevalence of dating violence (DV) is increasing, so the detailed study of the related factors can help to intervene in it more specifically. This study had three goals: to analyze the frequency of DV; to explore the differences between the frequency of perpetration and victimization of DV and sexist attitudes, antisocial and criminal behavior, and personal adjustment; and to identify predictor variables of the frequency of DV. The sample consisted of 271 adolescents in residential care (54.6% boys and 45.4% girls), aged between 12 and 17 years (M = 15.23, SD = 1.60). The results showed that 91.5% of the adolescents perpetrate violence, and 88.6% are victimized in their dating relationships. Of them, 28% said they committed frequent violence and 27.3% suffered it frequently. Adolescents who frequently perpetrate or experience violence differ from those who do so occasionally in their personal adjustment, antisocial and criminal behaviors, and sexist attitudes. The predictors of the violence perpetration were age, hostile paternalistic sexism, and antisocial behaviors. The predictors of victimization were sex, age, hostile paternalistic sexism, and self-esteem. The results of this study could be useful for the prevention and intervention in DV in the area of residential care.