A Cross-National Comparison of Risk Factors for Teen Dating Violence in Mexico and the United States

• NCJ Number: 254725
• Journal: Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 47 Issue: 3 Dated: 2018 Pages: 547-559
• Author(s): Samantha Ludin; Jessika H. Bottiani; Katrina Debnam; Mercedes G. O. Solis; Catherine P. Bradshaw
• Date Published: 2018
• Length: 13 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2014-CK-BX-0005
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description

Annotation

This study used self-report ratings to assess the similarities and differences in risk factors associated with dating violence among middle school students in Mexico and the United States.

Abstract

This study used self-report ratings to assess the similarities and differences in risk factors associated with dating violence among middle school students in Mexico and the United States. ABST Involvement in dating violence has been linked with negative health outcomes, including depressive symptomology, substance use, and later expressions of aggression and victimizing behaviors. Less is known about the prevalence and mental health correlates of teen dating violence in countries like Mexico where adult partner violence is high. Additional research on teen dating violence is also needed, as it may be an important precursor to adult partner violence and a link to other mental health problems. In the current study, the U.S. sample (Nus = 15,099; Mus = 12.8; 49.5 percent female) included non-Hispanic Caucasian (24.9 percent), Hispanic-American (20.3 percent), and African-American (24.2 percent) adolescents. The Mexican sample (NMexico = 2211; MMexico = 13.67; 51 percent female) included 93.1 percent adolescents of Hispanic or Latin descent. Logistic regressions showed that dating violence victimization was reported at similar rates in the cross-national samples, although exposure to risk factors such as deviant peers and substance use differed significantly by country. The analyses indicated that although the country of residence was not significantly associated with dating violence victimization, the strength of the association between some known risk factors and dating violence victimization varied as a function of nationality, such that there was a significant interaction between country of residence, Mexico or the United States, and experiencing internalizing symptoms upon experiencing physical dating violence victimization. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on dating violence, both inside and outside the United States. 2 tables and 69 references (publisher abstract modified)