An Examination of the Factors Related to Dating Violence Perpetration Among Young Men and Women and Associated Theoretical Explanations

Abstract

This article provides a review of the literature on dating violence (DV) perpetration, specifically sex similarities and differences in the correlates and predictors of DV perpetration and the utility of current theories to explain young men's and women's DV perpetration. Overall, many of the correlates and predictors of DV perpetration are similar among young men and women (e.g., witnessing interparental violence, experiencing child abuse, alcohol abuse, traditional gender roles, relationship power dynamics). However, young women's perpetration of DV is more strongly related to internalizing symptoms (e.g., depression), trait anger and hostility, and experiencing DV victimization than young men's perpetration, whereas young men's perpetration of DV is more consistently related to lower socioeconomic status and educational attainment, antisocial personality characteristics, and increased relationship length than young women's perpetration. Each theory offers insights into but does not fully account for the correlates and predictors of DV perpetration. Sociocultural theories may be useful in explaining the use of coercive control in relationships, and learning/intergenerational transmission of violence theories may be useful in explaining bidirectional couple violence. Future research should focus on integrative theories, such as in the social-ecological theory, in order to explain various forms of DV. Our understanding of young men's and young women's DV perpetration is limited by cross-sectional research designs, methodological inconsistencies, a lack of sex-specific analytic approaches, and a lack of focus on contextual factors; more multivariate and longitudinal studies are needed. Further, as DV prevention programming is often presented in mixed-sex formats, a critical understanding of sex differences and similarities in DV perpetration could ultimately refine and improve effectiveness of programming efforts aimed at reducing DV.

Bystander Action in Situations of Dating and Sexual Aggression: A Mixed Methodological Study of High School Youth

“…The gender of the victim and perpetrator also impacted bystander actions, with students less likely to intervene when a boy was the victim and a girl was the perpetrator. Although research demonstrates that boys' use of violence towards girls often results in more negative consequences (Dardis et al 2014;Tjaden and Thoennes 2001), all forms of violence should be viewed as unacceptable, including girls use of violence against boys and violence within same-sex couples. Thus, bystander prevention programming should address myths about male victimization experiences, while providing youth the opportunity to acquire the skills and agency needed for intervening in non-heteronormative/maleperpetration and female-victim scenarios.…”

Longitudinal Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration and Victimization in Latino Emerging Adults

“…Most intimate partner violence research with adolescents and emerging adults has focused on women as victims and men as perpetrators (Dardis et al 2015;Renner and Whitney 2012). Consequently, men are underrepresented in the intimate partner violence victimization literature (Dardis et al 2015;Gupta et al 2010;Reed et al 2011) and women are underrepresented in the intimate partner violence perpetration literature (Dardis et al 2015).…”

“…Most intimate partner violence research with adolescents and emerging adults has focused on women as victims and men as perpetrators (Dardis et al 2015;Renner and Whitney 2012). Consequently, men are underrepresented in the intimate partner violence victimization literature (Dardis et al 2015;Gupta et al 2010;Reed et al 2011) and women are underrepresented in the intimate partner violence perpetration literature (Dardis et al 2015). Bidirectional violence, defined as abuse perpetration and victimization practiced by both men and women, is the most prevalent type of intimate partner violence (Caetano et al 2004;O'Leary et al 2008;Straus 2009;Ulloa and Hammett 2016), particularly among young adults (Renner and Whitney 2012).…”

“…Intimate partner violence perpetration peaks in emerging adulthood at age 25 in the general population (Johnson et al 2015;O'Leary 1999). Intimate partner violence perpetration and victimization among young men and women are known to co-occur, with each individual acting as perpetrator and victim on different occasions (Dardis et al 2015).…”

Taking Responsibility: Psychological and Attitudinal Change through a Domestic Violence Intervention Program in New South Wales, Australia

“…Attitudes relating to gender are significantly related to violence against women with inequitable views of gender roles associated with attitudes supporting the use of such violent behaviour (Dardis, Dixon, Edwards, & Turchik, 2015;Das et al, 2012;Lei, Simons, Simons, & Edmond, 2014). Large scale Australian surveys have similarly found a strong relationship between attitudes that are accepting of violence against women and "gender equity scores", where high support for gender equity reflects a belief that women and men have the same entitlements to roles and opportunities in society (McGregor, 2009;Taylor & Mouzos, 2006;Webster et al, 2014).…”