NCJ Number
207067
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 19 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2004 Pages: 171-187
Date Published
April 2004
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study examined the way in which social support intervened in the relationship between dating violence victimization and psychological well-being in a sample of adolescent African-American females.
Abstract
Prior research on violence against women has not examined the role of social support for adolescent girls experiencing dating violence. The current study examined whether social support acts as a moderator of, or mediator between, intimate partner violence (IPV) and psychological well-being in a sample of 522 African-American adolescent females. Participants completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, the Ben-Tovim Walker Body Attitudes Questionnaire, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, as well as questions on dating violence victimization and their response to the victimization. Results of statistical analyses indicated that, consistent with previous research, experiencing dating violence is associated with deleterious psychological outcomes including depression, low self-esteem, and negative body image. The results further revealed that social support does not act as a protective factor to the negative psychological outcomes resulting from dating violence among this population. Rather, social support serves as a mediating variable between dating violence victimization and psychological well-being. This finding implies that social support is directly influenced by dating violence, which in turn may affect psychological well-being. The findings have implications for clinicians and teachers who come into regular contact with adolescent girls. Violence prevention programs aimed at adolescent African-American girls should incorporate many types of social support networks that allow these girls to discuss their abusive relationship in an open environment. Tables, figures, references