Cyber Dating Abuse Among Teens Using School-Based Health Centers

Abstract

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: Cyber dating abuse victimization has been correlated with physical, sexual, and psychological adolescent relationship abuse. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:This is the first clinic-based study of cyber dating abuse. Forty-one percent of youth reported cyber dating abuse victimization, female more than male respondents. Compared with nonexposed youth, abuse victims reported more sexual assault; female victims reported more contraceptive nonuse and reproductive coercion. abstract OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of cyber dating abuse among youth aged 14 to 19 years seeking care at school-based health centers and associations with other forms of adolescent relationship abuse (ARA), sexual violence, and reproductive and sexual health indicators. METHODS:A cross-sectional survey was conducted during the 2012-2013 school year (participant n = 1008). Associations between cyber dating abuse and study outcomes were assessed via logistic regression models for clustered survey data. RESULTS:Past 3-month cyber dating abuse was reported by 41.4% of this clinic-based sample. More female than male participants reported cyber dating abuse victimization (44.6% vs 31.0%). Compared with no exposure, low-("a few times") and high-frequency ("once or twice a month" or more) cyber dating abuse were significantly associated with physical or sexual ARA (low: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8-4.4; high: aOR 5.4, 95% CI 4.0-7.5) and nonpartner sexual assault (low: aOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3-5.5; high: aOR 4.1, 95% CI 2.8-5.9). Analysis with female participants found an association between cyber dating abuse exposure and contraceptive nonuse (low: aOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.7; high: aOR 4.1, 95% CI 2.0-8.4) and reproductive coercion (low: aOR 3.0, 95% CI 1.4-6.2; high: aOR 5.7, 95% CI 2.8-11.6).CONCLUSIONS: Cyber dating abuse is common and associated with ARA and sexual assault in an adolescent clinic-based sample. The associations of cyber dating abuse with sexual behavior and pregnancy risk behaviors suggest a need to integrate ARA education and harm reduction counseling into sexual health assessments in clinical settings.

A School Health Center Intervention for Abusive Adolescent Relationships: A Cluster RCT

“…The intervention is universal, inclusive of all genders, sexual orientation, and clinic visit types, addressing a range of abusive behaviors, including cyber dating abuse (the use of social media to abuse a partner). 19,20 This study uses a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) design to evaluate the effectiveness of this brief universal education and counseling intervention to improve adolescents' recognition of ARA, use of resources, and attitudes and behaviors to reduce ARA. The study's 3 prespecified primary outcomes for the full sample focused on ARA knowledge and attitudes: (1) recognition of abusive behaviors, (2) intentions to intervene, and (3) knowledge of ARA resources.…”

Online Sexual Behaviours Among Swedish Youth : Characteristics, Associations and Consequences

“…Most research focuses on the problematic side of online dating, such as the risk of dating violence and the risk of being sexually abused (Dick et al, 2014). However, research shows that sexual communication in text or through pictures or films is often seen as part of dating behaviour (e.g.…”

“…Sending sexual images to a partner can be done after feeling pressured to do so (Associated Press & MTV, 2009;Handerson & Morgan, 2011). In a study by Dick et al (2014), cyber dating abuse among youth (14-19 year olds) who had soughed care at school-based health centres were investigated. In the study 13% reported sexual cyber dating abuse.…”

The impact of cyber dating abuse on self-esteem: The mediating role of emotional distress

“…Similarly, Zweig et al (2013) found that females perpetrated more non-sexual cyber dating abuse than did males. Dick et al (2014) noted that females also reported more cyber dating abuse victimization than males. However, when it comes to sexual dating abuse, both traditional and cyber, males report as much as twice the amount of female perpetration (Foshee, 1996;Zweig et al, 2013).…”