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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
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)