Citation

Volpe EM, Hardie TL, Cerulli C. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Neonatal Nurs. 2012; 41(4): 506-518.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1552-6909.2012.01384.x

PMID

22697267

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore the associations among dating violence (DV), aggression, relationship power, and depressive symptoms. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey secondary analysis. SETTING: An urban, school based health center, October, 2009 through May, 2009. PARTICIPANTS: Low income, adolescent girls (n = 155), ages 14-18. METHODS: Descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted to illustrate patterns and associations among variables. Key variables included depressive symptoms, DV victimization and aggression, and relationship power. We used mediation analyses to determine the direct and indirect effects among variables. RESULTS: Both DV victimization and aggression were reported frequently. Furthermore, DV victimization had a significant direct effect on depression and an indirect effect through relationship power. Depressive symptoms and relationship power were associated with DV aggression. Although relationship power did have a significant inverse effect on depressive symptoms, it was not through DV aggression. CONCLUSIONS: Complex associations remain between mental health and DV; however, relationship power partially accounts for DV victimization's effect on depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms are associated with DV victimization and aggression; therefore, nurses should address relationship power in clinical and community interventions.

Language: en