Introduction Dating violence prevention initiatives are intended, not only to reduce the occurrence of violent behaviors, but also to promote the development of positive dating relational skills starting in adolescence. However, despite the growing interest in examining adolescent relational skills in adolescents, no specific measure is yet available to assess post program gains relative to dating violence prevention and intervention. The current study addressed this important gap in dating relationships research by developing and validating a new measure of relational skills for adolescents. Methods Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on two samples of French‐speaking dating adolescents from Quebec, Canada (n1 = 384; n2 = 687). Results Exploratory factor analysis revealed a three‐factor structure reflecting constructs of Assertiveness, Support and Individuality (α = 0.69‐0.81). Results also support evidence of convergent validity with related measures. The three‐factor structure was cross‐validated among a second sample (α = 0.74‐0.79). Two‐way ANCOVAs were also conducted to examine differences in levels of relational skills as a function of sex and previous dating violence perpetration. Results indicated that girls reported higher levels of assertiveness than boys, and that adolescents who reported the use of dating violence also reported lower levels of all relational skills. Conclusion The validation of the Relational Skills Inventory for Adolescents (RSI‐A) will help researchers assess the effectiveness of interventions aimed at promoting the development of positive dating relationships during adolescence.

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Relationship quality has implications for individuals’ and couples’ wellbeing, such as higher couple functioning and perceived quality of life. In adolescence, low relationship quality has been associated with poor mental health and relational outcomes. However, given the lack of instruments to assess satisfaction in dating relationships, most studies have relied on measures of marital satisfaction. The current study aimed to address this gap by elaborating and validating the Relationship Quality Inventory for Adolescents (RQI-A). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted among two samples of French-speaking dating adolescents (n1 = 310; n2 = 335). The two-factor structure (Connectedness and Commitment) was cross-validated, and dimensions showed high internal consistency coefficients (ω = 0.86–0.89). Results also provide evidence of convergent validity of the scale with related measures. The RQI-A may help study predictors and correlates of dating relationship quality.

Les premières expériences amoureuses constituent une source d'influence importante quant au développement socioémotionnel des adolescent.es, notamment la présence de violence dans les relations amoureuses (VRA) influencerait négativement l'estime de soi des adolescent.es. Alors que plusieurs types de relations intimes peuvent être vécues par les adolescent.es, comme les relations de couple et les fréquentations, aucune étude n'a encore examiné le rôle du statut relationnel et du sexe de la victime dans la relation entre la VRA et l'estime de soi. Ainsi, la présente étude vise à examiner les associations entre différentes formes de VRA (c.-à-d., psychologique, physique ou sexuelle) et l'estime de soi ainsi que l'effet d'interaction entre le sexe et le statut relationnel chez les adolescent.es victimes de VRA. L'échantillon est composé de 809 adolescent.es âgé.es entre 14 et 19 ans (M = 16,68, ÉT =1,40) qui ont répondu à des questionnaires en ligne. En plus des informations sociodémographiques, les participant.es ont complété des mesures sur l'estime de soi, les expériences de VRA et le statut relationnel. Les résultats des analyses de covariance démontrent que les filles présentent des niveaux plus faibles d'estime de soi que les garçons. Également, parmi les adolescent.es victimes de VRA sexuelle, les jeunes en couple ont une meilleure estime d'eux-mêmes que les jeunes ayant vécu une relation dans le passé. Les résultats de l'étude soutiennent l'importance de considérer le sexe et le statut relationnel lors des interventions auprès de jeunes victimes de VRA et de promouvoir le développement d'une bonne estime de soi chez ceux-ci. Victimisation dans les relations amoureuses et estime de soi à l'adolescence : le rôle modérateur du sexe et du statut relationnelSelf-esteem and victimization in adolescent dating relationships: the moderating role of gender and relationship status