Dating violence in adolescents and young adults in rural Appalachia
Abstract
Dating violence involves harming or threatening to harm a current or previous dating partner, including psychological, physical, and sexual harm. (Breiding et al., 2015). Dating violence in rural communities is often overlooked and underreported due to multiple factors such as stigma, acquaintance density, limited resources, and intergenerational transmission of violence. This may be truer for adolescents and young adults in rural communities, who have limited resources, relationship experience, and knowledge about healthy versus unhealthy relationships. Common perceptions among rural residents include the belief that women are more passive or subordinate in relationships, and emotional abuse is not viewed as abusive behavior. Furthermore, young rural men are more likely to blame and place responsibility on young women in violent relationships. Risk factors for dating violence in adolescents and young adults include victim-related factors such as violence within the home, gender, growing up in a male-dominated home, and experiences of early childhood adversity. Among perpetrators of dating violence, risk factors include history of aggression, difficulties in school, problems with emotional regulation and anger, and experiences of physical abuse. There are differences in perceptions of the frequency and nature of dating violence among those at risk and figures of authority. This also extends to the knowledge of available resources for those who are in a violent or abusive relationship. The present study examined the experiences and perceptions of ETSU students regarding dating violence. Participants were recruited via SONA and awarded class credit for survey completion. Study measures included the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Revised Conflict Tactics Scale, and Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory, along with a demographic questionnaire. A total of 806 participants completed the study. Study aims include: 1) determine the prevalence of teen and young adult experiences of dating violence in a sample of ETSU students; 2) measure differences in prevalence between rural and non-rural communities by asking students their community of origin (i.e., prior to attending ETSU); and 3) determine if there is a link between experiences of childhood maltreatment and later experiences of dating violence as a teen and/or young adult. In order to assess Aim 1, we will run descriptive data, including means, ranges, and standard deviations, as well as percentages. We will use correlational analyses to determine relationships between different forms of dating violence. For Aim 2, we will use t-tests to determine differences between experiences of rural and non-rural individuals. For Aim 3, we will use correlational and linear regression analyses to determine relationships between childhood experiences of maltreatment, middle and high school dating violence, and college dating violence. All analyses will be conducted using SPSS. Breiding, M. J., Basile, K. C., Smith, S. G., Black, M. C., & Mahendra, R. (2015). Intimate partner violence surveillance: Uniform definitions and recommended data elements. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Start Time
16-4-2025 1:30 PM
End Time
16-4-2025 2:30 PM
Room Number
271
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Presentation Subtype
UG Orals
Presentation Category
Social Sciences & Business
Faculty Mentor
Jill Stinson
Dating violence in adolescents and young adults in rural Appalachia
271
Dating violence involves harming or threatening to harm a current or previous dating partner, including psychological, physical, and sexual harm. (Breiding et al., 2015). Dating violence in rural communities is often overlooked and underreported due to multiple factors such as stigma, acquaintance density, limited resources, and intergenerational transmission of violence. This may be truer for adolescents and young adults in rural communities, who have limited resources, relationship experience, and knowledge about healthy versus unhealthy relationships. Common perceptions among rural residents include the belief that women are more passive or subordinate in relationships, and emotional abuse is not viewed as abusive behavior. Furthermore, young rural men are more likely to blame and place responsibility on young women in violent relationships. Risk factors for dating violence in adolescents and young adults include victim-related factors such as violence within the home, gender, growing up in a male-dominated home, and experiences of early childhood adversity. Among perpetrators of dating violence, risk factors include history of aggression, difficulties in school, problems with emotional regulation and anger, and experiences of physical abuse. There are differences in perceptions of the frequency and nature of dating violence among those at risk and figures of authority. This also extends to the knowledge of available resources for those who are in a violent or abusive relationship. The present study examined the experiences and perceptions of ETSU students regarding dating violence. Participants were recruited via SONA and awarded class credit for survey completion. Study measures included the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Revised Conflict Tactics Scale, and Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory, along with a demographic questionnaire. A total of 806 participants completed the study. Study aims include: 1) determine the prevalence of teen and young adult experiences of dating violence in a sample of ETSU students; 2) measure differences in prevalence between rural and non-rural communities by asking students their community of origin (i.e., prior to attending ETSU); and 3) determine if there is a link between experiences of childhood maltreatment and later experiences of dating violence as a teen and/or young adult. In order to assess Aim 1, we will run descriptive data, including means, ranges, and standard deviations, as well as percentages. We will use correlational analyses to determine relationships between different forms of dating violence. For Aim 2, we will use t-tests to determine differences between experiences of rural and non-rural individuals. For Aim 3, we will use correlational and linear regression analyses to determine relationships between childhood experiences of maltreatment, middle and high school dating violence, and college dating violence. All analyses will be conducted using SPSS. Breiding, M. J., Basile, K. C., Smith, S. G., Black, M. C., & Mahendra, R. (2015). Intimate partner violence surveillance: Uniform definitions and recommended data elements. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.