|
Abstract
|
AUTHOR'S ABSTRACT:
This dissertation assessed (1) the relation between dating violence victimization and psychological well-being (anxiety, depression, dissociation, post-traumatic stress, self-esteem and life satisfaction); (2) how adolescents cope with dating violence victimization; and (3) if the severity of dating violence victimization moderates the relation between coping and psychological well-being. The participants were 190 Black and White high school students, ages 13 to 19 years of age. The sample was 53% Black and 47% female. Data were collected utilizing self-administered questionnaires. Female victims of severe dating violence victimization reported higher levels of post-traumatic stress than did female non-victims, after controlling for demographic, family violence, social desirability, and psychological maltreatment variables. For males, higher levels of psychological maltreatment were related to higher levels of anxiety, depression, dissociation, and post-traumatic stress, and to lower levels of life satisfaction, after controlling for demographic, family violence, social desirability, and physical dating violence variables. Within-group differences indicated that female victims of severe violence reported more anxiety and post-traumatic stress, and less life satisfaction and self-esteem than did female victims of mild violence. There were no within-group differences for males. The examination of coping behaviors indicated the use of both emotion-focused and problem-focused behaviors in response to dating violence victimization. Female victims of severe dating violence reported utilizing significantly more escape-avoidance, distancing, and self-controlling coping than did female victims of mild violence. Males' coping did not differ significantly by the severity of their victimization. The relation between coping and psychological well-being suggested that the greater use of more avoidant and emotion-focused coping behaviors was related to lower levels of psychological well-being. The results also showed that the severity of dating violence victimization did not moderate the relation between coping and psychological well-being. These findings, while limited by several factors, including cross-sectional design, self-report bias, and small sample size, indicate that dating violence is a serious problem among high school students and is significantly and negatively related to their psychological well-being. Future research in this area should include a longitudinal research design, multiple reporters, and a larger sample size. (Abstract Adapted from Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, 1998. Copyright © 1998 by Michelle Renee Callahan; University Microfilms International)
Juvenile Dating Violence
Juvenile Victim
Juvenile Male
Juvenile Female
Male Victim
Female Victim
Dating Violence Victim
Dating Violence Effects
Psychological Victimization Effects
Victim Coping
Juvenile Adjustment
Juvenile Development
Youth Development
Emotional Adjustment
Psychosocial Development
Juvenile Well-Being
Coping Skills
Partner Violence
Violence Against Women
07-03 |