Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-27-2016
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.
Recommended Citation
Temple, J.R., Choi, H.J., Elmquist, J., et al. (2016). Psychological abuse, mental health, and acceptance of dating violence among adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 59(2), 197-202. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.03.034
Copyright
Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Included in
Experimental Analysis of Behavior Commons, Interpersonal and Small Group Communication Commons, Other Communication Commons, Other Mental and Social Health Commons, Other Psychology Commons, Personality and Social Contexts Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Quantitative Psychology Commons, Social Psychology Commons
Comments
NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of Adolescent Health. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Journal of Adolescent Health, volume 59, issue 2, in 2016. DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.03.034
The Creative Commons license below applies only to this version of the article.