Gender differences in dating aggression among multiethnic high school students.

Full Abstract

PURPOSE:
(1) To assess prevalence of physical dating aggression and victimization among high school students; (2) to assess prevalence of mutual and exclusive aggression; (3) to determine whether aggression differs across ethnic groups and relationship type; and (4) to ascertain the likelihood of injury and breakup in individuals who reported that they were the recipients of physical aggression.

METHODS:
Students (N = 2363) from seven multiethnic high schools participated. Because males in high school date females younger than they and the reverse for females, and because males and females may underreport aggression, only within gender comparisons were conducted.

RESULTS:
More females reported engaging in physical aggression (40%) than reported being victims of aggression (30%). Fewer males reported engaging in physical aggression (24%) than reported being victims of physical aggression (31%). If physical aggression occurred, typically both partners were aggressive. For females, exclusive engagement in physical aggression (perpetration) was reported at higher rates than exclusively being the recipient of physical aggression (victimization) and vice versa for males. Dating aggression was less prevalent among male Asian students than other ethnic groups. Engaged males and females reported the highest rates of physical aggression. Injury was reported by over 25% of males and females who reported being the recipients of physical aggression.

CONCLUSIONS:
Dating aggression intervention programs should address physical aggression of both males and females. Because approximately 30% of the high school males and females reported being the recipients of physical aggression by their partners, primary prevention efforts should occur before high school.

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Author information

Author/s: O'Leary, K Daniel (KD); Smith Slep, Amy M (AM); Avery-Leaf, Sarah (S); Cascardi, Michele (M);

Affiliation: PsychologyDepartment, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-2500, USA. K.D.Oleary(-atsign-)sunysb.edu

Grants: 47801 (Agency:United States PHS) ; 57985 (Agency:United States PHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine (J Adolesc Health), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-May; vol 42 (issue 5) : pp 473-9

Dates: Created 2008/04/14; Completed 2008/06/12; Revised 2008/10/14;

PMID: 18407042, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior - ethnology; psychology
Adult
Aggression
Courtship - ethnology; psychology
Female
Health Education
Humans

Interpersonal Relations
Male
New York - epidemiology
Prevalence
Questionnaires
School Health Services
Sex Factors
Violence - ethnology; psychology; statistics & numerical data

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