NCJ Number
237829
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 25 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2010 Pages: 626-647
Date Published
April 2010
Length
22 pages
Annotation
The aim of this study was to uncover the extent of adolescent girls' exposure to various warning signs of relationship abuse.
Abstract
This study explored adolescent girls' experiences of, and responses to, seven domains of partner behavior that are considered to be early warning signs of relationship abuse. Girls (N = 146) aged 14 to 18 years, attending schools in a semirural area, completed a purpose-built questionnaire, providing measures of self-reported exposure, perceived seriousness, and proposed response protectiveness in relation to each domain. Substantial proportions of girls (a) reported exposure to each of the domains, (b) lacked awareness particularly of the risks associated with jealous/possessive partner behaviors, and (c) regardless of their level of risk awareness, lacked knowledge of behavioral responses that might discourage continued warning-sign behaviors by their partners in all domains except for social restriction tactics. The implications of these findings for youth-targeted relationship abuse prevention are discussed. (Published Abstract)