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Dating Violence, Social Learning Theory, and Gender: A Multivariate Analysis

NCJ Number
138240
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1992) Pages: 3-14
Author(s)
P Tontodonato; B K Crew
Date Published
1992
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Using a recent social learning model of courtship violence, this study uses data gathered from 847 college students at a midwestern university in 1987 to analyze the factors predictive of courtship violence and the differences between males and females in the causes of aggression.
Abstract
The study hypotheses were that children who witnessed parental violence or experienced childhood violence are more likely to commit dating violence, that parental divorce predicts dating violence, that persons approving of violence are more likely to report committing it, and that alcohol and other drug use increases the likelihood of violence. Logit analysis of the results indicates that parent-child violence, drug use, and knowledge of use of dating violence by others predict the use of courtship violence by females. The belief that violence between intimates is justifiable, drug use, and parental divorce are related to the perpetration of dating aggression by males. Tables, notes, and 38 references (Author abstract modified)