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A Three-Step Latent Class Analysis to Identify How Different Patterns of Teen Dating Violence and Psychosocial Factors Influence Mental Health

NCJ Number
252049
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 46 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2017 Pages: 854-866
Author(s)
Hye Jeong Choi; Rebecca Weston; Jeff R. Temple
Date Published
April 2017
Length
13 pages
Annotation

This study examined (1) homogenous subgroups based on victimization and perpetration of multiple forms of teen dating violence (TDV); (2) predictors of membership in these subgroups; and (3) mental health consequences associated with membership in each subgroup.

Abstract

Although violence has multiple forms (i.e., physical, threatening, psychological, sexual, and relational abuse) and patterns (i.e., perpetration and victimization) that can co-occur, most existing research examined these experiences individually. Nine hundred eighteen adolescents in the 9th or 10th grade at seven public high schools in Texas participated in the survey (56 percent female; White, 30 percent; Hispanic, 32 percent; African-American, 29 percent; and others, 9 percent). A three-step latent class analysis was employed. Five latent teen dating violence classes were identified: (1) nonviolence; (2) emotional/verbal abuse; (3) forced sexual contact; (4) psychological plus physical violence; and (5) psychological abuse. Females, African-Americans, and youth who had higher acceptance of couple violence scores and whose parents had less education were more likely to be members of dating violence classes compared with the nonviolence class. Adolescents who experienced multiple types of dating violence reported greater mental health concerns. Prevention programs may benefit by identifying the homogeneous subgroups of teen dating violence and targeting adolescent teen dating violence accordingly. (Publisher abstract modified)