Adolescent relationship abuse (ARA) has significant sequelae and is more prevalent among sexual and gender-diverse youth (SGDY). Increased parental involvement and communication has been linked to decreased prevalence of ARA and associated health risks. Parents of SGDY may have unique needs and experiences regarding communicating with their children about ARA, yet little research has examined this area. This study explored caregivers' current practices around supporting their SGDY in healthy relationship formation and ARA prevention; caregivers' perceptions about ARA among SGDY; and their recommendations for developing ARA prevention-focused interventions for caregivers of SGDY. We conducted 24 semi-structured interviews with caregivers of SGDY aged 12 to 19. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Some participants reported having positive, open communication with their SGDY about dating, while others struggled to understand and respond to the unique risks of ARA experienced by their adolescent. Caregivers discussed ways systemic discrimination affects SGDY experiences of relationships and ARA, and distinct dating challenges for gender-diverse youth. When considering caregiver-focused ARA prevention, participants supported a program including ARA education, communication skills building, and caregiver affirmation. Participants encouraged the use of digital and in-person mediums, experienced and relatable facilitators, and SGDY involvement. Caregivers of SGDY had significant strengths and challenges when engaging and communicating with their child around dating and ARA prevention. Caregivers at varying stages of acceptance and understanding believed they could benefit from a comprehensive and inclusive education program on SGDY ARA experiences and how they can support their child in preventing ARA.

Dating violence victimization is a pervasive public health problem that affects individuals of all age groups, but it holds particular significance during adolescence due to the potential long-term consequences on an individual's physical and psychological well-being, and potential influence on the health of adult relationships. Although there is now ample research on the topic of adolescent dating violence prevalence, risk factors, and consequences, to our knowledge, only four studies have assessed dating violence victimization among autistic youth. The current study was designed to investigate the prevalence of, and risk markers for, dating violence victimization among autistic youth. Specifically, the study had two aims: (a) to estimate the prevalence of dating violence victimization among autistic youth in a U.S.-based sample and (b) to identify correlates of dating violence for autistic youth, which include sociodemographic, mental health, and alcohol-related variables. We found that among participants who were in a romantic relationship in the past year, autistic participants were not any less likely to experience dating violence victimization compared to their non-autistic counterparts (40.7% for autistic youth vs. 38.0% for non-autistic youth). In addition, findings from the current study demonstrate the significant relationships between dating violence victimization and consequences of alcohol use, loneliness, and anxiety among autistic youth. Existing studies, in addition to the results of the current study, suggest the need for tailored dating violence prevention, support, and intervention to support the overall well-being of autistic youth.

High school students experiencing sexual dating violence (SDV) may use alcohol as a coping mechanism for trauma, emotional pain, and stress from victimization, increasing the risk of suicide attempts due to impaired judgment. Few studies have investigated how alcohol consumption influences the association between SDV and the likelihood of attempted suicide. We assessed the mediating role of alcohol use in this association.

We analyzed cross-sectional data of weighted 10,875 U.S. high school students from the 2021 pooled Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance dataset. We performed multivariable logistic regression analyses to assess associations between SDV and the likelihood of attempted suicide. We also conducted the four-way decomposition mediation analyses. Data was analyzed in 2024.

SDV was significantly associated with attempted suicide in the overall high school student sample (AOR=4.85, p<0.001), with stronger effects observed in subgroups, including males, 11th and 12th graders, and Black or African Americans. Alcohol use attributed 29.29% of the total effect of SDV victimization on attempted suicide, with 4.11% attributed to alcohol use only, and 25.18% to both interactions (between SDV victimization and alcohol use) and mediation (alcohol use).

SDV is associated with suicide attempts among high school students overall and across subgroups. Alcohol use plays a critical mediating role, indicating the need for targeted alcohol-specific interventions to reduce suicide risk, particularly among high-risk groups such as male students, younger cohorts, and racial/ethnic minorities. Prioritizing alcohol interventions among these vulnerable populations may address health disparities in suicide attempts and enhance suicide prevention efforts.

The health impacts of exposure to physical, sexual or psychological gender-based violence (GBV) against men and women are substantial yet not well delineated. We systematically reviewed and meta-analysed 40 studies to evaluate the associations between GBV (including but not limited to intimate partner violence) and eight health outcomes: sexually transmitted infections excluding HIV, maternal abortion and miscarriage, HIV/AIDS, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, drug use disorders, alcohol use disorders and self-harm. Using the Burden of Proof methods, we generated conservative metrics of association-including star ratings from one to five-reflecting both effect size and evidence strength. Sexual violence was associated with six outcomes, with moderate, three-star evidence of association for sexually transmitted infections, maternal abortion and miscarriage, and major depressive disorder-increasing the risk by at least 104%, 101% and 50%, respectively. Seven outcomes were associated with physical GBV with two- or one-star associations, reflecting weak associations and/or inconsistent evidence. Of the four health outcomes analysed in relation to psychological GBV, one, major depressive disorder, had a significant association with a one-star rating. These findings emphasize the serious health consequences of GBV for survivors and the necessity of additional data to further our understanding of this complex public health issue.

Teen dating violence (TDV) is common during adolescence and has lasting negative impacts on those who experience it. Yet, there is limited research exploring how well teens recognize unhealthy behaviors and communicate boundaries, both crucial aspects in preventing TDV. This study aimed to investigate how demographic characteristics (i.e., gender, age, sexual identity, and race/ethnicity) relate to adolescents' abilities to recognize unhealthy relationships and willingness to communicate boundaries. Participants (N = 873) completed online surveys during school hours on demographic characteristics (e.g., gender), recognition of unhealthy relationship behaviors, communicating boundaries, and navigating breakups. We found that girls, participants who identify as a sexual minority (e.g., lesbian), and White participants demonstrated significantly higher recognition of controlling behaviors compared to boys and their heterosexual and non-White counterparts, respectively, but there was no significant difference in identifying abusive behaviors such as shouting, yelling, and insulting a partner. Older participants (i.e., ages 16-18) were significantly more likely to recognize controlling and abusive behaviors as unhealthy compared to younger participants (i.e., 13-15). Further, we found that girls and older participants were significantly more willing to communicate boundaries in relationships than boys and their younger counterparts. Our findings align with prior research emphasizing the necessity for prevention strategies that raise awareness of controlling behaviors that can escalate to more severe forms of TDV and equip adolescents with the means to establish and communicate personal boundaries.

Adolescent sexual minority males (ASMM) are three to four times more likely to experience depression or anxiety than their heterosexual peers. ASMM in romantic relationships may be at higher risk of developing anxiety and depression symptoms, yet studies examining relationship quality as a predictor of mental health ASMM is limited.

Partnered ASMM (n = 50) were recruited using online advertisements posted on social media and geo-dating mobile application. Linear regressions models were calculated to test associations between relationship quality, minority stress, and mental health (i.e.., depression, anxiety). Models adjusted for age, race, and relationship length.

Relationship quality and minority stressors predicted worse mental health outcomes. Specifically, relationship quality was positively associated with depression (β = .50, p < .001) and anxiety (β = .26, p = .038). Similarly, Social marginalization was associated with depression (β = .55, p = < .001) and anxiety (β = .67, p <.001), while family rejection was only associated with depression (β = .27 p <.03).

This study demonstrates the relevance of relationship quality and minority stress to the mental health of partnered ASMM. Unlike the pattern seen in adults, relationship quality predicted worse depression. Future research is needed to understand the mechanism in which relationship characteristics influence mental health to inform future prevention and intervention efforts.

Dating violence (DV) is a widespread problem that undermines the well-being of young adults. Consistent with social learning theory, exposure to interparental violence (IV) and childhood maltreatment have been identified as risk factors for DV perpetration and victimization. However, former research on these associations is mainly U.S.-based, cross-sectional, and focused on physical DV. To address these gaps in the literature, the aims of this study were twofold: first, to assess whether exposure to physical IV during childhood was associated with physical and psychological DV perpetration and victimization in young adulthood while controlling for childhood maltreatment; second, to determine whether the associations between IV and DV varied based on participants' sex, socioeconomic status, and antisociality. To investigate this, data from a longitudinal, multi-informant, dual-cohort study in the Netherlands (TRracking Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey) were used. Participants who self-reported their experiences of IV and whose romantic partners completed questionnaires on DV were included in the current sample (N = 522). Using hierarchical logistic regressions, results showed that IV exposure during childhood was not associated with DV perpetration or DV victimization during young adulthood. Further, this pattern of results did not vary as a function of sex, socioeconomic status, or antisociality. Overall, findings suggest that young adults in our sample demonstrate resilience against the intergenerational cycle of violence.

Psychological, physical, and sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) is prevalent among college-aged emerging adults (aged 18-29 years). Aggressive and dark triad personality traits have been linked to an increased risk of IPV, yet this approach does not identify modifiable risk factors. This study extends current research on personality traits and IPV by testing modifiable factors, namely, emotion regulation and empathic concern, that may alter the association of dark triad traits with psychological, physical, and sexual IPV. College students (N = 554) in a dating relationship for more than 2 weeks completed an online survey. Participants self-identified as Black (22.9%), Latinx (40.6%), and White (34.8%); a majority identified as women (74.1%). Results showed that low empathic concern intensified the association between dark triad traits and psychological and physical IPV. Individuals relatively high on dark triad traits are thus more likely to engage in monitoring a partner, dictating their activities or appearance, or hitting them when they also exhibit low empathy. Emotion regulation also moderated the relationship between dark triad traits and psychological IPV, but not for physical or sexual IPV. Emotion regulation, however, was a significant correlate of physical IPV, suggesting this type of IPV may be related to both emotion dysregulation and intentional efforts to control a partner. In contrast, emotion regulation and dark triad traits were independently linked to sexual IPV, suggesting sexual IPV may be driven by different mechanisms such as opportunistic or exploitative tendencies, factors that are less influenced by empathy. Results emphasize targeting empathic concern and emotion regulation to reduce IPV risk among those high in dark triad traits.

Youth with mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions may be at increased risk for interpersonal violence victimization and perpetration as compared to counterparts without these conditions. To investigate this possibility, we conducted an analysis using U.S. nationally representative data collected from youth ages 11 to 21 years old (N = 846). We calculated the prevalence of any dating abuse victimization or perpetration, as well as four specific subtypes of dating abuse-physical, sexual, psychological, and cyber dating abuse-for youth with eight types of mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders (i.e., anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD], oppositional defiant or other conduct disorder, bipolar disorder [BD], attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], autism, or learning disability). Nearly one-half (43%) of the sample reported that they had one or more of the eight mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions (n = 337), 75% of those reported experiencing at least one act of dating abuse victimization in the past year, and 62% reported one or more acts of dating abuse perpetration. Ordinal regression model analyses demonstrated that youth with mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions had substantially elevated odds of more frequent physical, sexual, psychological, and cyber dating abuse victimization (adjusted odds ratios ranged from 1.2 to 7.4) and dating abuse perpetration (adjusted odds ratios ranged from 1.0 to 6.9) controlling for gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, age, and household income. Compared to youth with no mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions, youth with BD were particularly likely to report more frequent experiences of all types of dating abuse victimization. Also, sexual dating abuse perpetration was elevated among youth with anxiety, depression, PTSD, BD, and ADHD. Funders are called upon to invest strategically in the development and rigorous testing of healthy relationships promotion programs and strategies that will benefit the millions of youth in U.S. schools who have these conditions.

Dating and relationship violence (DRV) among young people is widespread. DRV is associated with subsequent mental ill health, substance use and sexual risk among girls and boys and is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among girls globally. Harmful social norms are widely recognised for their role in sustaining DRV, and interventions often seek to change these. However, little evidence is available to suggest which specific norms are most salient and where protective norms might be strengthened. We conducted, audio-recorded and transcribed consultations and semi-structured interviews with students (years 9 and 10), school staff and parents/carers from ten secondary schools in England. We also audio-recorded discussions in staff DRV trainings in four of these schools. Data collection took place between April 2017 and July 2018. This research explored participant accounts of social norms relating to gender and to DRV in schools and their influence on DRV behaviours. Drawing on Giddens' structuration theory, our thematic analysis found that sexist social norms subjugating girls to boys facilitated gendered practices of harassment and abuse, including DRV; and that these practices, in turn, reproduced this gendered power structure. Our data suggest that while physical DRV is socially proscribed, norms supporting controlling behaviours and inhibiting disclosure of victimisation directly underpin DRV. They further suggest that indirectly, gender norms concerning cross-gender friendships; sexual harassment; the policing of girls' sexuality; homophobic abuse; and dominance, control and sexual activity as masculine ideals indirectly sustain DRV. Accounts demonstrated that students and staff challenge harmful norms, but that these efforts can be ineffective and socially punished. Our findings can inform DRV interventions, which should draw on evidence to foster protective norms and shift those that sustain DRV.

Developing accurate and equitable screening protocols can lead to more targeted, efficient, and effective, teen dating violence (TDV) prevention programming. Current TDV screening protocols perform poorly and are rarely implemented, but recent research and policy emphasizes the importance of leveraging more trauma-focused screening measures for improved prevention outcomes. In response, the present study examined which adversities (i.e., indices of family violence), trauma-focused risk factors (i.e., threat and reward biases) and strengths (i.e., social support and racial/ethnic identity) best classified concurrent and prospective risk for physical and psychological forms of TDV-perpetration. Participants included 584 adolescents aged 12-18 years (MAge = 14.43; SD = 1.22), evenly distributed across gender (48.9% female), race (35% African American; 38.5% White) and ethnicity (40% Hispanic). Surveys completed at baseline and 1-year follow-up were analyzed using an evidence-based medicine (EBM) analytic protocol (i.e., logistic regression, area-under-the-curve; (AUC), diagnostic likelihood ratios (DLR), calibration curves) and compared to machine learning models. Results revealed hostility best classified risk for concurrent and prospective physical TDV-perpetration (AUCs > 0.70; DLRs > 2.0). Additionally, domestic violence (DV) exposure best forecasted prospective psychological TDV-perpetration (AUC > 0.70; DLR > 3.0). Both indices were well-calibrated (i.e., non-significant Spiegelhalter's Z statistics) and statistically fair. Machine learning models added minimal incremental validity. Results demonstrate the importance of prioritizing hostility and DV-exposure for accurate, equitable, and feasible screening for physical and psychological forms of TDV-perpetration, respectively. Integrating these findings into existing prevention protocols can lead to a more targeted approach to reducing TDV-perpetration.

Dating violence victimization (DVV) is a prevalent public health problem with harmful consequences among adolescents. Pornography use has been identified among the factors associated with DVV. However, most studies have relied on cross-sectional designs, limiting the ability to determine temporal relationships between these variables. The present study assessed bidirectional longitudinal associations between pornography use and DVV (psychological, physical, and sexual), also examining cross-sectional associations and gender differences. Participants' self-report data from two assessments of a longitudinal study were used. The sample consisted of 1,556 teenagers (Mage = 14.55 years, SDage = .630; 51.5% were girls) having reported an intimate relationship in the past year at the first and/or second time point (T1/T2). Whereas some cross-sectional associations between pornography use and DVV were observed at T1, results from the autoregressive cross-lagged model revealed no significant longitudinal association between pornography use and the three forms of DVV, regardless of gender. Thus, pornography use may not represent a significant risk factor over time for DVV in adolescents. These findings provide additional insights concerning the associations between pornography use and DVV and suggest that emphasis should perhaps be placed on other variables in the study of risk factors for DVV. Still, although modest, transversal links support the importance of interventions that promote healthy intimate relationships in adolescence and education about pornography use.

To examine the acceptability of implementing, trialling and estimating the cost of the Sexual health and healthy relationships for Further Education (SaFE) intervention.

Two-arm repeated cross-sectional pilot cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) of SaFE compared with usual practice, including a process evaluation and an economic assessment.

Eight further education (FE) settings in South Wales and the West of England, UK.

FE students, staff and sexual health nurses.

SaFE had three components: (1) onsite access to sexual health and relationship services provided by sexual health nurses available for 2 hours on 2 days per week; (2) publicity about onsite sexual health and relationship services and (3) FE staff training on how to promote sexual health, and recognise, prevent and respond to dating and relationship violence (DRV) and sexual harassment.

The primary outcome was feasibility, assessing whether the study met progression criteria relating to: (a) FE setting and student recruitment; (b) the acceptability of the intervention and (c) qualitative data, and documentary evidence from students, staff and sexual health nurses on acceptability, fidelity of implementation and receipt. We also assessed the completeness of primary, secondary and intermediate outcome measures and estimated cost of the intervention.

Three of the four progression criteria were met. Eight FE settings were recruited, randomised and retained. Of the students approached, 60.7% (1124/1852 students) at baseline and 51.9% (1139/2193 students) at 12 month follow-up completed the questionnaire (target 60%). Over 80% of onsite sexual health services were attended by a nurse; onsite publicity about sexual health services was observed at all intervention settings and 137 staff were trained. SaFE was viewed positively by FE students, FE staff and nurses but needed more time to embed. The prevalence of self-reported unprotected sex at last intercourse was 15.5% at baseline and 18.7% at follow-up. There was evidence of floor effects in the measure of DRV victimisation in the last 12 months. We found low rates of missing data for almost all variables with no discernible differences across arms. The estimated cost per FE setting was £38,363.09.

SaFE was implemented and well received by students, staff and nurses. If strategies to boost student recruitment to the survey can be identified, progression to a phase III effectiveness trial of SaFE is warranted.

ISRCTN54793810.

Young Latinas and Black women drink less than women of other racial/ethnic groups but experience more alcohol-related problems in midlife. This study aims to identify modifiable factors to prevent adult onset of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in this population.

Data were collected at six time points as part of the Harlem Longitudinal Development Study from 365 Latinas (47%) and Black (53%) women (mean age at time 1 = 14, standard deviation 1.3). Structural equation modeling was used to test hypothesized pathways from childhood physical and sexual abuse to AUD via depressive mood, anxiety disorders, and somatic complaints in the 20s. We also tested the moderation effect of the high school academic environment by including in the structural equation model two latent variable interaction terms between the school environment and each of the abuse variables.

Childhood physical and sexual abuse was positively associated with depressive mood, anxiety disorders, and somatic complaints when participants were in the 20s. Depressive mood mediated childhood abuse and AUD when women were in the 30s. The high school academic environment attenuated the effect of physical, but not sexual abuse, on depressive mood (β = -0.59, B = -9.38, 95% CI [-14.00, -4.76]), anxiety symptoms (β = -0.61, B = -14.19, 95% CI [-21.76, -6.61]), appetite loss (β = -0.41, B = -10.52, 95% CI [-15.61, -5.42]), and sleeplessness (β = -0.50, B = -9.56, 95% CI [-13.95, -5.17]) in the early 20s.

Our findings underscore the need to invest in early violence prevention interventions and in education to ensure equitable access to quality, academically oriented, and safe schools.

Adolescent relationship violence (ARV) is the use of coercive, controlling, and violent behavior within romantic adolescent relationships. It presents with patterned behaviors that occur in a cyclic fashion. ARV is common across all demographics and encompasses modalities such as physical, sexual, psychological, digital and financial abuse; reproductive coercion, and stalking. Exposure increases risk for serious acute and chronic physical and mental health consequences, including death. In the first article of this 2-part series, the authors describe the social, psychological, and medical context of ARV; in part two, the author's focus on practical aspects for approaching ARV in clinical encounters.

Adolescent dating violence (ADV) is a pervasive public health issue associated with numerous social, psychological, and physical health consequences. Thus, programs are often implemented to prevent ADV and promote healthy relationships. Although there is a growing body of literature on primary ADV prevention strategies (i.e., prevention), little is known about secondary (e.g., early intervention) and tertiary (e.g., manage and reduce impact once occurring) ADV prevention approaches. This systematic review, guided by Cochrane Review methodology, summarizes available evidence on secondary and tertiary ADV preventive interventions. The search had no date restriction and was conducted in eight databases in November 2022. Studies published in English and/or Spanish were included if they described the development, implementation, and/or evaluation of a secondary and/or tertiary preventive intervention for ADV. After screening the titles and abstracts of 3,645 articles, 31 articles were included in this study, reporting on 14 secondary, 3 primary/secondary, 6 secondary/tertiary, and 1 tertiary ADV preventive intervention. The included studies highlighted that available secondary ADV prevention strategies are quite effective in preventing ADV victimization and perpetration, and that the effects may be strongest for teens with a higher risk of being involved in an abusive relationship. The only included study that reported on a tertiary intervention was a program development study. Based on the lack of tertiary prevention strategies available for ADV, clinical interventions focusing on treating and reducing negative consequences after ADV are needed.

Dating violence (DV) is a social problem that affects adolescents worldwide. Prevalence figures show that this type of violence is starting at an increasingly younger age, which is why it is important to study attitudes toward DV, as they are an important risk factor. Victim-blaming attitudes justify this type of violence by excusing perpetrators and blaming victims. The present study aimed to validate an instrument developed to assess victim-blaming attitudes in DV cases among the adolescent population: The Adolescent Dating Violence Victim-Blaming Attitudes Scale (ADV-VBA). Two samples of high school students were recruited using a two-stage stratified sampling by conglomerates, one consisting of 758 adolescents (48% females) and the other of 160 (50% females), whose ages ranged from 12 to 18 years. We found that this instrument presented good reliability and validity evidence, showing good internal consistency, a clear one-factor latent structure, and a close relation to other related constructs, such as ambivalent sexism and perpetration and victimization of DV. We also found that items did not present differential item functioning across gender and the instrument was especially informative for assessing moderate to high levels of victim-blaming attitudes. A short five-item version is also presented for use when time and space constraints exist. Our results indicate that the ADV-VBA scale is a psychometrically sound measure to assess victim-blaming attitudes in cases of adolescent DV.

Teen dating violence (TDV) is a global public health and safety issue causing health impacts to youth people. This study aimed to examine: (1) the impact of the pandemic on TDV victimisation rates and (2) socioecological factors associated with sustained risk for TDV victimisation during the first year of COVID-19.

Data are from an ongoing randomised controlled trial of a TDV prevention programme in Texas (n=2768). We conducted annual assessments in 2019-2021. We used regression modelling to assess demographic, individual, peer and family factors associated with TDV risks.

TDV rates declined from 11.9% in 2019 to 5.2% in 2021. While demographic, peer and family/household factors were not associated with TDV victimisation during the pandemic, individual-level factors (ie, early sexual debut, substance use, acceptance of violence and prior TDV involvement) were related to COVID-era risks. Only early sexual debut was uniquely linked to TDV victimisation risk the first year of COVID-19.

While TDV rates declined during the pandemic, previous victimisation, substance use and early sexual debut remained potent risks for relationship harm.

This study examined the use of teasing during observed videotaped interactions of Mexican American adolescent dating couples (N = 34; 15-17 years old) from an urban area of the Southwest United States. During the interaction task, couples discussed two relationship problems for 14 min and nearly all interactions (88.2%) contained teasing. In turn, we developed a grounded theory of teasing that delineated who initiated the teasing (boys/girls), teasing types, levels of severity of teasing incidents, youth's motivations for teasing, and the resulting consequences of teasing in real time. We found that most teasing incidents were mild to moderately severe and that girls initiated teasing to a greater extent than boys. Regarding motives, youth used teasing to exert power during the interaction and/or to repair a problem in the relationship. Despite various types of teasing, the resulting consequences were hurt feelings, power struggles, and shame. Participants overtly stated that they desired improved communication. We recommend that socioemotional learning and dating violence prevention programs include teasing as part of conflict resolution skill sets and that these programs be informed by the cultural values of Mexican-origin youth.

Though sexual assault is prevalent among college campuses, there is a paucity of research on whether risk factors vary for different racial/ethnic groups. As such, this article examines familial and individual risk factors and three sexual assault types (coercive, physically forced, and incapacitated) with depressive symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms to see whether such risks vary for Black/African American, White, Asian, and Hispanic groups of college students. Data were gathered in 2019 to 2020 from 783 undergraduate college women and men at a large public university in the Midwestern United States. Results revealed that in terms of family background, Black/African American, Asian, and Hispanic students reported more experiences of child physical abuse and lower levels of warmth and support compared to White students. White college students, however, reported more frequent heavy drinking compared to Asian and Hispanic students. For sexual assault, Asian students reporting experiencing incapacitated sexual assault more so than White students, whereas Black/African American students reported experiences of physically forced sexual assault more so than White students. For mental health, Hispanic students reported more PTSD symptoms compared to White students while Asian students reported more depressive symptoms compared to their White counterparts. It is noteworthy that early experiences of child physical abuse and lower warmth and support continued to significantly impact both PTSD symptoms and depressive symptoms. Our results demonstrate the importance of going beyond the typical dichotomy of White and non-White to gain a more nuanced understanding of how risk factors vary for different racial and ethnic groups, which has implications for intervention and prevention when understanding sexual assault and mental health outcomes.

The relationship between romantic involvement, dating violence, other victimizations, and mental health among adolescents in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic is understudied.

This study analyzed 2021 survey data collected from a representative sample of 9th-12th grade students (n = 10,792) from 24 high schools in a US Midwestern state. Most respondents identified as White, heterosexual, and US-born, with more than three-quarters aged 15-17 years. Guided by the poly-victimization framework, this study explored: (a) How do youth victimizations and mental health concerns differ by their experience of dating and dating violence? (b) What are the associations between youth mental health concerns, victimizations, and dating?

Youths reported mental health concerns and victimizations at considerable rates during the COVID-19 pandemic when in-person interactions were limited. Those who experienced dating violence were at a higher risk of reporting other victimizations (i.e., unwanted sexual comments, unwanted sexual contact, sexual photos/videos, sex trading for compensation, discrimination, and bullying). The number of victimizations demonstrated a cumulative effect on teen mental health. Most individual victimizations showed significant net associations with mental health concerns, even when controlling for other differing victimizations.

Dating violence plays a critical role in the interconnectedness of victimizations, and the number of victimizations has a cumulative effect on teen mental health. The high prevalence of youth victimizations during the time when in-person interactions were limited suggests that victimizations may transfer from in-person forms to virtual forms and occur offline. Implications for individual and community prevention and interventions are discussed.

Dating and sexual violence (DSV) is a common occurrence among school aged youth and has been associated with numerous harmful long-term outcomes. The goal of this article is to better understand the range of outcomes associated with DSV during youth and adolescence. This systematic review consists of 28 school-based studies from 20 journals discussing outcomes of youth experiences of DSV. Results demonstrate significant associations between DSV victimization and mental health symptoms, substance use, sexual health, academic, and social outcomes. To better understand this issue, this article recommends that schools offer additional training for staff on recognizing DSV. Additionally, improved research is needed in this area including surveys that are inclusive of diverse student identities and include more comprehensive measures of DSV, and additional research on DSV explicitly focused on minoritized groups.

Accumulating evidence indicates that there is a trend of early puberty onset in humans. The early timing of puberty has raised concerns due to its association with significant negative health outcomes. However, overall impact and potential risk of early puberty remain uncertain. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive review of existing epidemiological studies to gain insights into the long-term adverse health effects associated with early puberty. Our objective was to provide a consolidated summary of these outcomes at a population level by considering studies that encompass various indicators of puberty. In all, early puberty has been identified as a potential risk factor for various metabolic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Children who experience early puberty are more likely to have a higher body mass index (BMI) during adulthood, increasing their risk of obesity. Early puberty also has been found to be an independent risk factor for diabetes mellitus, including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), as earlier onset of menarche in girls and voice breaking in boys is associated with a higher prevalence of T2DM. Furthermore, evidence suggests that early puberty may contribute to an elevated risk of CVD, including conditions like coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, angina, and hypertension. In addition, adolescents who experience early puberty, particularly girls, are more likely to suffer from mental problems, such as behavioral dysfunction and depression. Notably, early puberty has a more significant impact on girls than boys. Further research should consider the underlying mechanisms and potential preventive measures.

Sexual violence is a major public health concern that has a detrimental impact on mental health, physical health, and academic performance. College students represent a population that is at an increased risk of experiencing sexual violence. Alcohol use, and more specifically, heavy drinking during pregaming events, is associated with increased risk of sexual violence. Studies have demonstrated that protective behavioral strategies have effectively reduced heavy drinking and the risk of alcohol-related consequences, including sexual violence victimization.

This study aims to examine the association between experiences of sexual violence in college and subsequent use of pregaming protective strategies.

Data from 468 college students (67% female, 33% male) were analyzed. Over 42% of participants reported experiencing sexual violence in college. While adjusting for pregaming frequency and sex, results revealed that those who reported experiencing sexual violence in college were significantly less likely to use pregaming protective behavioral strategies compared to those without such experiences. Specifically, survivors of sexual violence were less likely to report using the protective behavioral strategies of minimizing intoxication, as well as behaviors related to safety and familiarity (e.g., using a designated driver after pregaming).

The findings have important implications for interventions aimed at empowering survivors of sexual violence. Future research should focus on understanding survivor's motives and mechanisms to use pregaming protective behavioral strategies to reduce the risk of re-victimization.

Sexual and gender minority youth assigned female at birth (SGM-AFAB) are at disproportionately high risk for intimate partner violence victimization (IPVV), yet remain understudied. Using two time points of data collected from 367 SGM-AFAB young people (aged 16-31 years), we tested whether common, general population risk factors (childhood violence, depression, alcohol and cannabis use, and low social support) and unique stigma-related factors (enacted stigma, microaggressions, and internalized stigma) prospectively predicted psychological, physical, sexual, and identity abuse IPVV in the following 6 months. Results indicated that some traditional risk factors, including child abuse, depression, cannabis use, and low social support, raise IPVV risk among SGM-AFAB youth. Microaggressions and internalized stigma represent additional, unique IPVV risk factors in this population. SGM-affirmative efforts to prevent IPVV should address these common and SGM-specific risk factors.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic was a public health emergency that impacted adolescents across the United States and disproportionately affected youth experiencing marginalization due to less access to resources and supports. This study reviews the increases in intimate partner and youth violence during the pandemic, mechanisms contributing to these increases, and the overarching health impacts on adolescents. Pediatric health professionals have a vital role to play in implementing healing-centered practices and prevention efforts that mitigate impacts of trauma and violence and that support youth and families in pathways to healing and recovery.

We apply a Bourdieusian lens to understand the reproduction of a patriarchal illusio that works to maintain violence-supportive attitudes and concurrent low levels of support for gender equality among young people. We analyze interview and focus group data collected with young women and men and conclude that we must disrupt the reproduction of patriarchal norms by: recognizing the intentional operation of backlash by men's rights activist groups that undermine attempts to transform society; ensuring girls' and women's safety on new technologies to reduce their exposure to sexism and violence; and introducing prevention early to disrupt misogynist social norms being internalized.

Few studies have focused on evaluating the relationship between dating violence (DV) and suicide during the critical period of adolescence, particularly for transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) youth. The study examined the relationship between experiencing DV victimization and perpetration in the past 6 months and suicidality (ideation and attempts) among male, female, and TGD adolescents. This study used data from a longitudinal randomized trial examining the effectiveness of myPlan, a healthy relationship and safety planning app intervention for adolescents, to a control website. Data for this study was collected virtually, in which participants completed surveys through online platforms. A convenience sample was recruited through youth organizations and posting on online platforms including social media. N = 610 adolescents age 15-17 years, who resided in the U.S. experienced DV in the past 6 months, had access to a safe device, and were able to access online surveys were included in this study. The majority were female (63.8%) with (19.5%) TGD and 16.7% male. Nearly 22% of the sample identified as Hispanic/Latino and 61.0% as white. Participants completed an online survey consisting of measures of socio demographics, DV victimization and perpetration via the Conflict of Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory (CADRI), and suicidality. The primary outcome was the association between DV victimization and perpetration on suicidality. Different forms of DV were accounted for including emotional/relational, physical, and sexual DV. Logistic regressions determined differences in the rate of DV victimization and perpetration on suicidality between gender groups (cisgender female, cisgender male, and TGD). A stratified analysis was conducted to test if the relationship between DV and suicidality differed across gender identity. Approximately one-third (32.2%) of adolescents reported suicidality in the past 6 months. TGD adolescents were more likely to report suicidality compared to males (20.6%, p < .05) and females (32.7%, p > .05). The overall odds of suicidality increased as frequency of emotional/relational DV victimization (OR = 1.37, p < .001), physical DV victimization (OR = 1.59, p < .001) and sexual DV victimization (OR = 1.42, p < .001) increased. These relationships were not significant for DV perpetration. When stratifying findings by gender groups, all forms of DV victimization significantly increased the odds of suicidality for females as well as female perpetration of physical violence. For males, all forms of DV victimization and perpetration were associated with increased odds of suicidality, although not significant due to the smaller sample size. While DV victimization is associated with increased odds of suicidality for TGD, perpetration of DV is associated with decreased odds of suicidality, although not significant due to small sample size. The findings from this study provide further insight into experiences of DV and suicidality among gender diverse youth and can guide future interventions aimed at preventing DV and suicide among adolescents.

Dating violence is a serious public health issue among adolescents due to the detrimental short- and long-term consequences. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between adolescent dating violence (ADV) and adverse health behavioral outcomes related to substance abuse, mental health, and select risky health behaviors such as feeling unsafe, school performance, and inadequate sleep within the state of Florida. This study used data from the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). The high school students represented a weighted total of 542,818 (n = 4301). Logistic regression analyses, stratified by gender, examined the relationship between ADV and health risk behaviors after adjusting for race and grade. Proportions of ADV were as follows: 3.1% of students reported being abused both physically and sexually; 3.4% reported being abused only physically; 3.9% reported being abused only sexually; and 89.6% were uninvolved. ADV was associated with almost all the health risk behavior outcomes studied, with a few exceptions. Experiencing both kinds of abuse held the highest odds ratio among the four mutually exclusive categories of ADV. The findings from this study could be helpful in identifying youths who demonstrate warning signs of ADV abuse and thus could provide opportunities for targeted preventive interventions.

We sought to determine whether the Good School Toolkit-Primary violence prevention intervention was associated with reduced victimisation and perpetration of peer and intimate partner violence four years later, and if any associations were moderated by sex and early adolescent: family connectedness, socio-economic status, and experience of violence outside of school.

Drawing on schools involved in a randomised controlled trial of the intervention, we used a quasi-experimental design to compare violence outcomes between those who received the intervention during our trial (n = 1388), and those who did not receive the intervention during or after the trial (n = 522). Data were collected in 2014 (mean age 13.4, SD 1.5 years) from participants in 42 schools in Luwero District, Uganda, and 2018/19 from the same participants both in and out of school (mean age 18, SD: 1.77 years). We compared children who received the Good School Toolkit-Primary, a whole school violence prevention intervention, during a randomised controlled trial, to those who did not receive the intervention during or after the trial. Outcomes were measured using items adapted from the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Child Abuse Screening Tool-Child Institutional. We used mixed-effect multivariable logistic regression, with school fitted as a random-effect to account for clustering.

1910 adolescents aged about 16-19 years old were included in our analysis. We found no evidence of an average long-term intervention effect on our primary outcome, peer violence victimization at follow-up (aOR = 0.81, 95%CI = 0.59-1.11); or for any secondary outcome. However, exposure to the intervention was associated with: later reductions in peer violence, for adolescents with high family connectedness (aOR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.99), but not for those with low family connectedness (aOR = 1.07, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.6; p-interaction = 0.06); and reduced later intimate partner violence perpetration among males with high socio-economic status (aOR = 0.32, 95%CI 0.11 to 0.90), but not low socio-economic status (aOR = 1.01 95%CI 0.37 to 2.76, p-interaction = 0.05).

Young adolescents in connected families and with higher socio-economic status may be better equipped to transfer violence prevention skills from primary school to new relationships as they get older.

Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01678846, registration date 24 August 2012. Protocol for this paper:  https://www.researchprotocols.org/2020/12/e20940 .

Adolescent dating violence is a national public health issue and research suggests that aggressive parenting may predict the likelihood that a child will subsequently experience abuse. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of parent physical and psychological aggression on adolescent dating violence perpetration and victimization. Data derived from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study resulted in a racially and ethnically diverse sample of adolescents in dating relationships at the age of 15 years (N = 952). Utilizing both parent and adolescent data which assessed parenting practices at ages 3, 5, 9, and 15, and adolescent dating violence victimization and perpetration at age 15, we analyzed the data using a latest class analysis. Youth were typologized into three classes: the non-physically aggressive parenting, nonaggressive dating class (Class 1; 16% of youth), the aggressive parenting, nonaggressive dating class (Class 2; 76% of youth), and the aggressive parenting, aggressive dating class (Class 3; 8% of youth). Parents across all three classes utilized high levels of psychologically aggressive parenting. An important finding from this study is that parents' use of both physically and psychologically aggressive parenting only predicted subsequent dating violence victimization and perpetration among a small portion of adolescents. Findings suggest that additional risk factors, including household income and adolescent impulsivity, may help to elucidate pathways to adolescent dating violence. There is also a need to further explore the resiliency factors at play for youth who, despite having experienced both psychologically and physically aggressive parenting across the lifespan, did not experience dating violence victimization or perpetration.

This scoping review aims to identify quantitative research studies in the USA examining the association between societal factors and teen dating violence (TDV) victimization and/or perpetration.

Nine articles examined a range of societal factors including gender norms and gender equality; cultural norms that support aggression towards others; income inequality; and laws and policies. Factors were measured in states, neighborhoods, schools, and classes. While findings varied, certain societal factors may be associated with TDV.

Findings highlight the relative lack of research examining associations between societal factors and TDV. This may be driven by limited data availability, complexity and cost of such research, and unclear definitions and measurement of societal factors. To decrease TDV and improve population-level adolescent health, more rigorous research is needed to inform the development of multilevel and structural interventions to address the outer layers of the social ecology.

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between physical intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and four related aspects of emotional well-being: threat sensitivity, intolerance of uncertainty, impulse control, and access to resources for emotional regulation. We draw on a transactional model of IPV and emotional regulation to theorize how invalidation and partner threats in relationships can generate harmful emotional outcomes. We used representative data collected for residents living in five U.S. states: Colorado, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Texas. Our analytic sample included individuals who reported having been in a romantic relationship in the past year (N = 2,501). Data were collected using a probability-based web panel, between April 29 and May 15, 2022. Following the presentation of descriptive statistics and bivariate correlations, we developed a series of four multivariate models (ordinary least squares [OLS], negative binomial) to analyze the association between IPV victimization and each emotional outcome. All models adjusted for pertinent demographic and geographic control measures. Physical IPV victimization was associated with increased intolerance of uncertainty and heightened threat sensitivity. IPV victimization also corresponded with poorer impulse control and fewer resources for emotional regulation. Overall, our results demonstrate that experiences of physical IPV victimization are linked to poorer emotional outcomes. These outcomes can be harmful to broader mental health and potentially impact long-term well-being. The findings underscore the importance of mental health screenings that extend beyond assessments of diagnostic-level functions and allocating resources toward alleviating other clinically relevant factors that might arise from or even prompt additional exposure to physical IPV.

Teen dating violence (TDV) is prevalent with lifelong adverse consequences, and strategies to reduce its burden are needed. Many U.S. states have enacted laws to address TDV in schools, but few studies have examined their effectiveness. This study aimed to assess whether state TDV laws were associated with changes in physical TDV victimization among high school students.

We used repeated cross-sectional data of high school students from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey across 41 states from 1999 to 2019. Using a difference-in-differences approach with an event study design, we compared changes in past-year physical TDV in states that enacted TDV laws (n = 21) compared to states with no required laws (n = 20). Analyses accounted for clustering at the state-level and state and year-fixed effects. We conducted sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of our findings.

In our sample of 1,240,211 students, the prevalence of past-year physical TDV was 9.2% across all state-years. In 1999, the prevalence of TDV at the state-level ranged from 7.5 to 13.0%; in 2019, the prevalence ranged from 3.7 to 10.5%. There was no significant association between TDV laws and past-year physical TDV. Six or more waves after enactment, we observed a non-significant 1.7% percentage point reduction in TDV in states with TDV laws (95% CI: -3.6 to 0.3 percentage points; p = 0.10).

We found no significant association between enactment of TDV laws and physical TDV among high school students. Further research is needed to understand how TDV laws are implemented and components of TDV laws that may influence effectiveness.

Teen dating violence (TDV) is a significant public health problem that can have lifelong consequences. Using a longitudinal, cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT), this study examines whether the Dating Matters comprehensive prevention model, implemented in middle school, prevented TDV and negative relationship behaviors and promoted positive relationship behaviors in high school (9th-11th grades), when compared with a standard of care intervention. Dating Matters includes programs for sixth to eighth grade youth and their parents, training for school staff, a youth communications program, and policy and data activities implemented in the community. Self-report survey data were collected from students in 46 middle schools that were randomly assigned to condition within site. Students completed two surveys (fall and spring) in each middle school grade and a single survey in the spring of each high school grade. This study examined self-reported TDV perpetration and victimization, use of negative conflict resolution strategies, and positive relationship skills in the high school follow-up. While varying patterns emerged, latent panel models demonstrated significant program effects for all outcomes. Dating Matters students reported 19% reduced risk for TDV perpetration, 24% reduced risk for TDV victimization, 7% reduced risk for use of negative conflict strategies, and 3% more use of positive relationship skills, on average across time and cohort, than standard of care students. On average, Dating Matters, implemented in middle school, continued to be more effective at reducing TDV perpetration, TDV victimization, and use of negative conflict resolution strategies in high school than an evidence-based comparison program.Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01672541.

Autobiographical memories of close relationships have been shown to have strong influence in health and life. Yet, there is no research published about longitudinal memory reconstruction of violent sporadic relationships while reading and discussing scientific evidence on gender violence victimization. This article presents a novel case of the reconstruction throughout time of the memory of a disdainful hookup experienced by a young woman. The victim's diary and an interview were the sources of data collection. The analytical categories were developed in dialogue with the participant. The results indicate that, as the subject learned scientific evidence on gender violence in sporadic relationships, she progressively recalled details of the episode that she had self-censored before, became aware of the very violent nature of the hookup, rejected the relationship, and freed her desire for satisfactory romantic relationships.

Evidence on the outcomes of adolescent dating violence (ADV) victimization mainly derives from cross-sectional studies, which have limitations in suggesting causal relationships. Furthermore, the complexity of factors and overlapping dimensions in dating violence research, such as the forms of violence experienced, may have contributed to the variability of findings across the literature. To address these gaps and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of ADV, this study reviews findings from prospective cohort studies, with a focus on the type of violence experienced and the gender of the victim. A systematic search was conducted in nine electronic databases and additional relevant journals. Prospective longitudinal studies were included if dating violence victimization occurred during adolescence and chronologically preceded the outcomes. A quality assessment was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A narrative approach was used to synthesize findings. After screening 1,838 records, 14 publications met the selection criteria and were included in this review. Our findings suggest that experiencing ADV is longitudinally associated with many adverse outcomes, including higher internalizing symptoms and externalizing behaviors, poorer well-being, increased substance use, and increased revictimization. However, the associations are not consistently reported across studies when considering the type of ADV experienced and the gender of the victim. This review highlights the limited number of longitudinal studies examining the outcomes of ADV victimization, the unbalanced approach in investigating different forms of violence, and the lack of diverse samples examining this subject. Implications for research, policy, and practice are outlined.

Sexual and gender minorities assigned female at birth (SGM-AFAB) experience high rates of intimate partner violence (IPV), with negative effects on health and well-being. Disclosure of and help-seeking for IPV can support the well-being of IPV survivors, yet are understudied among SGM-AFAB people. To better understand the IPV disclosure and help-seeking experiences in this population, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 41 SGM-AFAB young adults who experienced physical, sexual, or severe psychological IPV. Qualitative analyses explored to whom SGM-AFAB disclosed IPV, barriers to disclosure/help-seeking, the types of responses received, and perceived helpfulness of responses. Exploratory mixed methods analyses assessed frequency of code endorsement, demographic differences, and associations among codes. Three-quarters of participants disclosed IPV, though rates were lower for sexual and physical than psychological IPV and very few sought help from formal sources. The most common barriers to disclosure were not viewing the IPV as abuse and anticipation of negative responses, often due to stigma; other participants described inability to access formal help and concerns about SGM incompetence in those services. Most actual responses received were considered helpful, including emotional support, labeling the IPV as unhealthy, nonjudgmental listening, actions to stop the IPV, and practical support. Minimizing IPV or criticizing the victim was common unhelpful response; advice to end the relationship was considered helpful and unhelpful. Whereas 92% of friend responses were described as helpful, around half of family (56%) and therapist (62%) responses were helpful. Findings suggest that efforts to increase access to culturally affirmative services and educate SGM youth to recognize IPV in their relationships may help promote help-seeking and well-being among SGM-AFAB IPV survivors.

Dating violence has become a problem of social relevance with short- and long-term health consequences. Nurses are in a privileged position to detect and address this problem in health facilities and as school nurses in schools, providing health education and detecting this violence correctly.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cross-cultural validation of the Portuguese version of the Multidimensional Scale of Dating Violence-Short (MSDV 2.0).

A validation investigation was carried out in two phases: (1) cross-cultural adaptation of the items and content validation of the Portuguese version of MSDV 2.0 and (2) psychometric validation.

Phase (1): The items of the original version include a cross-cultural translation from Spanish to Portuguese and analysed by a group of experts in gender violence and by the authors of the original scale, then a back translation was made and again reviewed by the experts. Young university students also participated for face validity, and a pilot test was carried out. Phase (2): Confirmatory factor analysis was performed using the robust maximum-likelihood estimation method, which confirmed the five-dimensional structure, obtaining good fit rates (chi-square significance (χ2) = 187.860 (p < 0.0001); root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.049; comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.937; Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) = 0.923). Reliability analysis indicated adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha (α) = 0.88 to 0.70). Finally, scores of the Portuguese versions MSDV 2.0 were correlated, as expected, positively with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) (r = 0.36 to 0.16) and negatively with the Medical Outcomes Study Questionnaire Short Form 36, Health Survey (SF-36) (r = -0.30 to -0.14).

To date, it is the only instrument that measures dating violence in a multidimensional way validated in the Portuguese university context.

There is a growing tendency for mental health disorders to emerge during adolescence. These disorders impair emotional, cognitive, and behavioral functioning, such as unsatisfying peer relationships, disruptive behavior, and decreased academic performance. They also contribute to vulnerability in later adulthood which negatively influences life-long well-being. Thus, research into etiology is imperative to provide implications for prevention and intervention within family and school practices. It is suggested that the onset of psychological disorders, such as depression and anxiety, is closely related to stress levels and patterns of stress reaction. Therefore, considerable research has investigated the link between hereditary factors, economic status, dispositional vulnerability, social relationships, and stress levels. The current study examines existing evidence and identifies multifaceted risk factors for adolescents' mental problems across three layers, including individual traits and personality, family status and practices, as well as peer relationships, and school climate. It is also suggested that factors from these three perspectives interact and are closely interconnected, directly or indirectly contributing to adolescent psychopathology. The implications for future development of prevention and intervention programs, as well as therapy, are discussed.

While cross-sectional studies have shown that teen dating violence (TDV) victimization is linked to sexual risk behavior (SRB), the pathway between these variables is not well-understood. To address this knowledge gap, we explore the mediating role of self-efficacy to refuse sex in the longitudinal relationship between physical TDV victimization and subsequent SRB among adolescents.

Self-report data from three prior longitudinal studies were harmonized to create a single aggregated sample of primarily racial and ethnic minority adolescents (N = 4,620; 51.4% Hispanic, 38.5% Black, and 58% female) from 44 schools in the southwest U.S. Participants' physical TDV victimization at baseline (seventh and eighth grade), self-efficacy to refuse sex at 12-month follow-up, and SRB at 24-month follow-up was tested using mediation models with bias corrected bootstrapped confidence intervals. All regression models controlled for age, race, parental education, SRB at baseline, and intervention status.

Physical TDV victimization at baseline was associated with refusal self-efficacy at 12 months and SRB (e.g., frequency of vaginal and oral sex, lifetime number of vaginal sex partners, and number of vaginal sex partners in the past three months without condom use) at 24 months. Refusal self-efficacy mediated the link between physical TDV victimization and increased risk of SRB for females and males, to a lesser extent.

Adolescent victims of physical TDV report diminished self-efficacy to refuse sex, predisposing them to engage in SRBs, including condomless sex.

Adolescent dating violence (ADV) is a major public health concern experienced by more than half of adolescents. Previous studies have found considerable diversity in patterns of ADV and suggest that its various forms often occur concurrently and reciprocally within adolescent dating relationships. While multiple robust distal correlates of ADV have already been established, research on situational factors, such as conflict-related variables, is still sparse.

This study aimed to identify patterns of ADV based on the co-occurrence of different types of ADV victimization and perpetration. Multiple correlates of these ADV patterns were examined, including daily conflict-related factors (e.g., occurrence, resolution).

A sample of 216 adolescents (M = 17.03 years; SD = 1.49) who were currently involved in a dating relationship completed a baseline assessment followed by 14 consecutive daily diaries.

Latent class analysis revealed five classes, including Low violence (21.8 %), Emotional violence (50.9 %), Emotional and sexual violence (13 %), Psychological violence and control (7.9 %), and Multiple violence (6.5 %). Demographic, relationship, distal, and daily conflict-related indicators differentiated the classes. Findings indicated that youth in the Psychological violence and control and Multiple violence classes were involved in longer-lasting relationships and displayed higher externalized problems and emotion dysregulation, more frequent experiences of childhood traumas, and, notably, more difficulties in managing daily conflicts.

Adolescence is a crucial time to reduce the onset, persistence, and adverse consequences of ADV. By identifying situational conflict-related factors associated with ADV victimization and perpetration, this study can inform important prevention efforts.

Widespread among adolescents in England, dating and relationship violence (DRV) is associated with subsequent injuries and serious mental health problems. While DRV prevention interventions often aim to shift harmful social norms, no established measures exist to assess relevant norms and their role in mediating DRV outcomes. We conducted cognitive interviews exploring the understandability and answerability of candidate measures of social norms relating to DRV and gender roles, informing measure refinement. In all, 11 participants aged 13 to 15 from one school in England participated. Cognitive interviews tested two items assessing descriptive norms (beliefs about what behaviors are typical), three assessing injunctive norms (beliefs about what is socially acceptable), and (for comparison) one assessing personal attitudes. Findings were summarized by drawing on interview notes. Summaries and interview notes were subjected to thematic analysis. For some participants, injunctive norms items required further explanation to clarify that items asked about others' views, not their own. Lack of certainty about, and perceived heterogeneity of, behaviors and views among a broad reference group detracted from answerability. Participants were better able to answer items for which they could draw on concrete experiences of observing or discussing relevant behaviors or social sanctions. Data suggest that a narrowed reference group could improve answerability for items assessing salient norms. Findings informed refinements to social norms measures. It is possible to develop social norms measures that are understandable and answerable for adolescents in England. Measures should assess norms that are salient and publicly manifest among a cohesive and influential reference group.

Schools have a duty of care to prevent violence between students but a significant amount of dating and relationship violence and gender-based violence occurs in schools. These are important public health issues with important longitudinal consequences for young people.

To understand functioning and effectiveness of school-based interventions for the prevention of dating and relationship violence and gender-based violence.

We undertook a mixed-methods systematic review to synthesise different types of evidence relating to school-based interventions for the prevention of dating and relationship violence and gender-based violence to understand if, how and in what ways these interventions are effective. We searched 21 databases and 2 trial registers and undertook forwards and backwards citation chasing, author contact and other supplementary search methods. Searches identified all literature published to June 2021. All screening was undertaken in duplicate and independently, and we quality appraised all included studies.

We included 247 reports (68 outcome evaluations, 137 process evaluations). Synthesis of intervention components produced an intervention typology: single-component, curricular, multicomponent, and multilevel programmes. Synthesis of intervention theories suggested that interventions aiming to increase students' sense of school belonging and sense of safety in the school building could encourage increased learning of prosocial skills and increased prosocial peer norms, and so potentially reducing dating and relationship violence and gender-based violence. Synthesis of factors affecting delivery highlighted school organisation and leaders who believed in the importance of addressing dating and relationship violence/gender-based violence, along with time and resources to deliver the interventions. The ease with which the intervention could be delivered and modified was also important. Meta-analysis found stronger evidence for intervention effectiveness in reducing dating and relationship violence than for gender-based violence, with significant long-term impacts on dating and relationship violence victimisation and perpetration, and some evidence that interventions in high-income countries could be effective for reducing victimisation and perpetration of gender-based violence in the long-term. Impacts on knowledge and attitudes were primarily short-term. Network meta-analysis did not suggest superiority of any intervention type. Moderation evidence suggested interventions reduced dating and relationship violence perpetration in boys more than girls, but reduced gender-based violence perpetration more in girls. Metaregression by intervention component did not explain heterogeneity in effectiveness, but qualitative comparative analysis suggested that reducing perpetration was important to reducing victimisation, and that perpetration could be reduced via focus on interpersonal skills, guided practice and (for gender-based violence) implementation of social structural components.

Despite an exhaustive search, trials may have been missed and risk of publication bias was high for several analyses.

This is the most comprehensive systematic review of school-based interventions for dating and relationship violence and gender-based violence to date. It is clear that the prevention of dating and relationship violence and gender-based violence in schools will require longer-term investment to show benefit.

Future research is needed to understand why intervention effectiveness appears stronger for dating and relationship violence than gender-based violence.

The study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42020190463.

This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme (NIHR award ref: NIHR130144) and is published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 12, No. 3. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.