Dating and relationship violence victimization and perpetration among 11–16 year olds in Wales: a cross-sectional analysis of the School Health Research Network (SHRN) survey

Abstract

Background This study examines the prevalence of dating and relationship violence (DRV) victimization, perpetration and joint victimization and perpetration, and associations between DRV and socio-demographic characteristics. Methods Cross-sectional self-report data from 74 908 students aged 11–16 from 193 schools across Wales were collected and analysed using generalized estimating equations to examine prevalence and predictors of emotional and physical DRV victimization, perpetration and joint victimization and perpetration. Results More girls reported emotional victimization (28%) and perpetration (18%) than boys (20% and 16%, respectively). More girls (8%) than boys (7%) reported physical perpetration. However, boys (17%) reported more physical victimization than girls (12%). Age-related trajectories of DRV victimization and perpetration were stronger in girls than in boys. Students from single or step parent homes, those in care, and certain ethnic minority groups had increased odds of DRV. No association was found between socioeconomic status and DRV. Conclusions Age-related trajectories and the lack of social patterning by socioeconomic status point to the value of early, universal interventions, while some evidence of ethnic patterning and family structure-related risk factors suggest areas for further research and targeted interventions. DRV continues to be a major public health problem for which little UK-specific intervention evidence exists.

Risk factors for intimate partner violence and abuse among adolescents and young adults: findings from a UK population-based cohort

“…In the current study there was no clear relationship between areabased deprivation and risks of either victimisation or perpetration (relative risks oscillated when increasing from quintiles 2 to 5, with wide confidence intervals). This is consistent with findings of two recent UK cross-sectional studies (where ethnic minorities were more prevalent and participants were less likely to live with both parents), one suggesting no relationship between SES (as measured on the Family Affluence Scale) and emotional or physical victimisation or perpetration among 11-16 year olds 7,32 , the other suggesting no relationship between SES (indicated by weekly spending money) and emotional or online sexual victimisation among 16-19 year olds 33 . A recent longitudinal study using ALSPAC data estimated that cumulative exposure to low SES (exposure at increasing numbers of time-points; this time SES being dichotomised as quintiles 4-5 vs. 1-3) was associated with a modest increase in risk of IPVA at ages 18-21 (RR=1.4; 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 1.8; i.e.…”

“…Implications for policy, practice, and research The fact that a large minority of young men and women aged up to 21 have been victimised and or perpetrated IPVA, highlights that the focus of inter-personal violence primary and secondary prevention needs to be broadened to include this age group. Only relatively recently has there been a sustained UK public health focus on IPVA in young people in particular 10,32,33 . School-based intervention for primary prevention of IPVA (involving information/training provision about identification and reporting to staff, parents and students), that has shown some promise in north America 36,37 , is currently being piloted in the UK 38 .…”

Risk Behaviours Associated with Dating and Relationship Violence among 11–16 Year Olds in Wales: Results from the 2019 Student Health and Wellbeing Survey

“…Given the paucity of research in the UK on DRV using nationally representative samples, this paper aims to expand on research by Young et al [9] by identifying risk factors associated with adolescent DRV. Through an analysis of the current UK and international literature, the following risk behaviours have been identified for analysis: alcohol use, cannabis use, bullying, cyberbullying, and sexting.…”

“…The term domestic violence encompasses emotional, financial, sexual, psychological, and/or physical abuse [1]. While the legal definitions of domestic violence in the UK do not apply to adolescents under the age of 16 [2], a growing body of research demonstrates that adolescent dating and relationship violence (DRV) is occurring not only with much higher prevalence than previously expected, but also to younger people, with some studies reporting similar rates for both girls and boys [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11].…”

“…Research using a similar age group in England, Scotland, and Wales, found that 11% of girls and 4% of boys had been victims of severe physical DRV [4], while a recent study in England and Wales, with a slightly older age group, found that over half of the 16 to 19 year olds surveyed had experienced some form of DRV in their lifetime [8]. In one of the few UK (and international) studies to explore both emotional and/or physical DRV victimisation and/or perpetration, Young et al [9] counter the preconceived notion that DRV is perpetrated mostly by boys against girls. Here the authors demonstrated that boys and girls in Wales were equally likely to perpetrate emotional (16% and 18% respectively) and physical DRV (7% and 8% respectively), while nearly a third of girls and a fifth of boys had experienced emotional DRV victimisation; although a slightly higher percentage of boys was found to have experienced physical DRV victimisation, compared to girls (17% vs. 12%).…”