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Delinquency and Dating Violence

A history of delinquency, aggression, or conduct problems is linked to dating violence-defined as physical, sexual, or psychological violence within a dating relationship. However, research on family violence and other kinds of violence and antisocial behavior has been generally conducted separately, and examination of links between these phenomena, especially for teenagers, is relatively new.

Initially, focus on violence between intimate partners was placed exclusively on violence between married partners since it was believed that dating violence, particularly among teenagers, was rare or inconsequential. In the last decade it has become clear that it is neither, as national studies have established more accurate estimates of prevalence and correlates. Since violence between married partners has been linked consistently to patterns of antisocial behavior, investigation of overlap between delinquency, aggression, and dating violence is of interest, especially since both partner violence and antisocial behavior are most prevalent during adolescence and early adulthood.

Prevalence of Dating Violence

Estimates of teen dating violence vary widely. Data gathered in the context of criminal victimization by the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) show low estimates in general, and much higher estimates of victimization reported by teenage females (12.4%) compared to teenage males (1.2%). Other national studies of high school students gathered in the context of a survey of general behaviors, such as the Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted in 2003 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have suggested higher and more gender-equivalent estimates, with about 1 in 11 students having reported physical victimization in the past year. Another national estimate of adolescents in high school indicated that almost one third of respondents report experiencing some lifetime dating violence, including psychological and physical violence, again with similar rates for males and females. Other studies of dating violence have reported even higher prevalence rates of some violence in a current dating relationship. Differences in estimates across studies are due to many factors, including different samples, varying confidentiality of responses, time frames, and instrumentation. The most widely used measure to survey partner violence is the Conflict Tactics Scales developed by Murray Straus, which assess the occurrence and frequency of a range of violent behaviors during arguments, ranging from hitting to injuring with a weapon.

Despite earlier focus on male violence perpetration, surveys that include both genders have found that young women and young men indicate similar rates of violence perpetrated and received, and also indicate they are involved in mutual or reciprocal violence. Both men and women display clinically significant levels of relationship violence, that is, at levels that are more typically seen in shelters or court-mandated treatment, although much violence does not fall into that category. It appears that young women are more likely than men to suffer serious harm and to experience sexual violence.

Risk Factors

Many studies have indicated that a history of aggression and antisocial behavior during childhood or adolescence is a risk factor for adult male partner violence perpetration. Longitudinal studies conducted in different contexts and countries also have indicated that delinquency and conduct problems in childhood and adolescence prospectively predict young adult partner violence in both genders (i.e., having experienced conduct problems in youth significantly increases individuals' risk of being in a relationship where dating violence occurs). In general, delinquency and conduct problems are measured by youth or parent report, and not arrest. The much smaller amount of research on teenagers also has suggested that people of both sexes who display violence toward their dating partners are more aggressive than their peers, as well as more likely to display other risk behaviors, including engaging in sex, attempting suicide, and heavy drinking.

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