Partner Violence Among Adolescents in Opposite-Sex Romantic Relationships: Findings from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health

Citation

Halpern, C. T.; Martin, S. L.; Oslak, S. L.; Young, M. L.; & Kupper, L. L. (2001). Partner Violence Among Adolescents in Opposite-Sex Romantic Relationships: Findings from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. American Journal of Public Health. vol. 91 (10) pp. 1679-1685 , PMCID: PMC1446854

Abstract

Objectives. This report examines (1) the prevalence of psychological and minor physical violence victimization in a nationally representative sample of adolescents and (2) associations between sociodemographic factors and victimization.

Methods. Analyses are based on 7500 adolescents who reported exclusively heterosexual romantic relationships in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Items from the Conflict Tactics Scale were used to measure victimization. Associations between victimization patterns and sociodemographic characteristics were assessed with polytomous logistic regression.

Results. One third of adolescents reported some type of victimization, and 12% reported physical violence victimization. Although most sociodemographic characteristics were significantly associated with victimization, patterns varied by sex and type of victimization.

Conclusions. Psychological and minor physical violence victimization is common in opposite-sex romantic relationships during adolescence. The sex-specific associations between sociodemographic characteristics and patterns of partner violence victimization underscore the importance of pursuing longitudinal, theory-driven investigations of the characteristics and developmental histories of both partners in a couple to advance understanding of this public health problem.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.91.10.1679

Keyword(s)

physical violence

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

American Journal of Public Health

Author(s)

Halpern, C. T.
Martin, S. L.
Oslak, S. L.
Young, M. L.
Kupper, L. L.

Year Published

2001

Volume Number

91

Issue Number

10

Pages

1679-1685

DOI

10.2105/AJPH.91.10.1679

PMCID

PMC1446854

Reference ID

88