The first section, "Physical Abuse in Dating Relationships," provides estimates of the prevalence of physical abuse in dating relationships and compares dating violence with violence among cohabiting and marital couples. It also provides new theoretical and empirical research on the antecedents and consequences of physical abuse while dating. Other topics considered in the first section are a theoretical model of courtship aggression, the influence of gender identity and self-esteem on physical and sexual abuse in dating relationships, the help-seeking behavior of physically and sexually abused college students, and factors associated with violence in dating relationships from a conflict perspective. The second section of the book, "Sexual Abuse in Dating Relationships," focuses on sexual aggression in dating relationships. After a review of a survey on the prevalence of unreported (to the police) sexual aggression and victimization in a national sample of college students, a study considers the prevalence of, risk factors in, and a proposed model for date rape. Another chapter distinguishes the compositions of various mixed-sex peer groups and their influence on sexual aggression in dating relationships. Other topics addressed are the sexual victimization of unmarried women by nonrelative acquaintances, the predictors of naturalistic sexual aggression, misinterpreted dating behaviors and the risk of date rape, and responsibility and attributions of crime in acquaintance rape on campus. Chapter references, subject index, 231-item selected bibliography.