Examination of Sex and Race Differences in Longitudinal Predictors of the Initiation of Adolescent Dating Violence Perpetration

• NCJ Number: 231842
• Journal: Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma Volume: 19 Issue: 5 Dated: July/August 2010 Pages: 492-516
• Author(s): Vangie A. Foshee; Heather Luz McNaughton Reyes; Susan T. Ennett
• Date Published: July 2010
• Length: 25 pages
• Grant Number(s): R01 DA16669; R49 CCV423114
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse; Ctr's for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined whether factors identified as cross-sectional correlates of adolescent dataing violence perpetration predicted the initiation of dating violence perpetration, and whether these factors were influenced by race and sex.

Abstract

The authors examined longitudinal predictors of dating violence perpetration and determined if predictors varied by sex and race. Analyses were with 1,666 adolescents who completed questionnaires in a fall and spring semester. Depression, marijuana use, and aggression against peers predicted perpetration by girls but not by boys. Anxiety predicted perpetration by White adolescents and anger predicted perpetration by Black adolescents. Number of friends using dating violence was a predictor for all groups. Black girls were more likely to initiate dating violence than all other groups. The findings can inform the development of programs for the primary prevention of adolescent dating violence. Tables, figures, and references (Published Abstract)