Jeff R Temple1, Hye Jeong Choi2, JoAnna Elmquist3, Michael Hecht4, Michelle Miller-Day5, Gregory L Stuart3, Meagan Brem3, Caitlin Wolford-Clevenger3. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas. Electronic address: jetemple@utmb.edu. 2. Department of Communication, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri. 3. Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee. 4. Real Prevention, Gilette, New Jersey. 5. Department of Communication Studies, Chapman University, Orange, California.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Existing literature indicates that acceptance of dating violence is a significant and robust risk factor for psychological dating abuse perpetration. Past work also indicates a significant relationship between psychological dating abuse perpetration and poor mental health. However, no known research has examined the relationship between acceptance of dating violence, perpetration of dating abuse, and mental health. In addition to exploring this complex relationship, the present study examines whether psychological abuse perpetration mediates the relationship between acceptance of dating violence and mental health (i.e., internalizing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and hostility). METHODS: Three waves of longitudinal data were obtained from 1,042 ethnically diverse high school students in Texas. Participants completed assessments of psychological dating abuse perpetration, acceptance of dating violence, and internalizing symptoms (hostility and symptoms of anxiety and depression). RESULTS: As predicted, results indicated that perpetration of psychological abuse was significantly associated with acceptance of dating violence and all internalizing symptoms. Furthermore, psychological abuse mediated the relationship between acceptance of dating violence and internalizing symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from the present study suggest that acceptance of dating violence is an important target for the prevention of dating violence and related emotional distress.
PURPOSE: Existing literature indicates that acceptance of dating violence is a significant and robust risk factor for psychological dating abuse perpetration. Past work also indicates a significant relationship between psychological dating abuse perpetration and poor mental health. However, no known research has examined the relationship between acceptance of dating violence, perpetration of dating abuse, and mental health. In addition to exploring this complex relationship, the present study examines whether psychological abuse perpetration mediates the relationship between acceptance of dating violence and mental health (i.e., internalizing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and hostility). METHODS: Three waves of longitudinal data were obtained from 1,042 ethnically diverse high school students in Texas. Participants completed assessments of psychological dating abuse perpetration, acceptance of dating violence, and internalizing symptoms (hostility and symptoms of anxiety and depression). RESULTS: As predicted, results indicated that perpetration of psychological abuse was significantly associated with acceptance of dating violence and all internalizing symptoms. Furthermore, psychological abuse mediated the relationship between acceptance of dating violence and internalizing symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from the present study suggest that acceptance of dating violence is an important target for the prevention of dating violence and related emotional distress.
Authors: Ryan C Shorey; Jeff R Temple; Jeniimarie Febres; Hope Brasfield; Amanda E Sherman; Gregory L Stuart Journal: J Interpers Violence Date: 2012-04-30
Authors: Janet Audrain-McGovern; Caryn Lerman; E Paul Wileyto; Daniel Rodriguez; Peter G Shields Journal: Am J Psychiatry Date: 2004-07 Impact factor: 18.112
Authors: David A Wolfe; Claire Crooks; Peter Jaffe; Debbie Chiodo; Ray Hughes; Wendy Ellis; Larry Stitt; Allan Donner Journal: Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med Date: 2009-08
Authors: Isabel Cuadrado-Gordillo; Guadalupe Martín-Mora-Parra; Ismael Puig-Amores Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-07-10 Impact factor: 4.614