NCJ Number
182094
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2000 Pages: 23-36
Editor(s)
Vincent B. Van Hasselt,
Michel Hersen
Date Published
2000
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study sought to investigate the extent of dating violence victimization in a New Zealand sample of senior high school students between 16 and 20 years of age and perceived reasons for the violence, emotional effects, disclosure of the violence, and relationship consequences.
Abstract
A 50-item questionnaire containing both open-ended and forced-choice items pertaining to experiences of violence and its consequences was developed using material gathered from focus group discussions with high school students. Study participants included 200 female and 173 students who attended five schools in the Auckland metropolitan area. Findings showed gender similarity in the extent of violence and a number of significant gender differences in the aftermath of violence, particularly in the area of sexual coercion. In contrast to female students, male students were significantly more likely to report they were not bothered by violence. Only females experienced physical abuse as scary, whereas only male students thought it was funny. Although emotional responses of male and female students were most similar for emotional violence, hurt and disappointment were largely female responses. Friends featured prominently as the persons students talked to about all types of violence, although the extent to which this occurred was markedly less for sexual coercion and physical violence than for emotional violence. Most students reported positive outcomes when they talked to some about their experiences of violence. Findings are discussed in the context of future research and the prevention of dating violence. 26 references