Violence in Young Adolescents' Relationships: A Path Model

• NCJ Number: 236728
• Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 23 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2008 Pages: 189-208
• Author(s): Wendy L. Josephson; Jocelyn B. Proulx
• Date Published: February 2008
• Length: 20 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined dating violence of students in seventh to ninth grade in Winnipeg, Canada.

Abstract

A structural equation model based on social cognitive theory was used to predict relationship violence from young adolescents' knowledge, self-efficacy, attitudes, and alternative conflict strategies (n = 143 male and 147 female grade 7-9 students). A direct causal effect was supported for violence-tolerant attitudes and psychologically aggressive (escalation/blame) strategies on physical violence against dating partners and friends. Knowledge and self-efficacy contributed to using reasoning-based strategies, but this reduced violence only in boys' friendships. Knowledge reduced violence-tolerant attitudes, thus reducing escalation/ blame and physical violence. Attitudes toward male and female dating violence (ATMDV and ATFDV) were indicators of general attitudes toward violence among non-dating students but ATFDV affected physical violence and ATMDV affected psychological aggression for both dating boys and girls. (Published Abstract)