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Physical Abuse in a College Setting: A Study of Perceptions and Participation in Abusive Dating Relationships

NCJ Number
234230
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 26 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2011 Pages: 71-80
Author(s)
Laura M. Miller
Date Published
January 2011
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the relationships between college students' self-identification as recipients and/or perpetrators of abuse in their dating relationships and abusive behaviors reported.
Abstract
This study explored the relationships between college students' self-identification as recipients and/or perpetrators of abuse in their dating relationships and abusive behaviors reported. A cross-sectional examination of 1,530 undergraduate students was conducted. Results indicated that one in four college students were involved in a physically abusive dating relationship (involving at least two acts of physically violent behavior), and that over 85 percent of them failed to self-identify as ever having received and/or perpetrated any act of physical abuse. College students involved in abusive dating relationships were more likely than those not in abusive dating relationships to be in a relationship of a longer duration, to have been in a previous abusive dating relationship, and to be more accepting, in general, of physical abuse as a means of conflict resolution. (Published Abstract)