Longitudinal Mediators of Relations Between Family Violence and Adolescent Dating Aggression Perpetration

Abstract

Few longitudinal studies have examined the pathways through which family violence leads to dating aggression. In the current study the authors used 3 waves of data obtained from 8th- and 9th-grade adolescents (N = 1,965) to examine the hypotheses that the prospective relationship between witnessing family violence and directly experiencing violence and physical dating aggression perpetration is mediated by 3 constructs: (a) normative beliefs about dating aggression (norms), (b) anger dysregulation, and (c) depression. Results from cross-lagged regression models suggest that the relationship between having been hit by an adult and dating aggression is mediated by changes in norms and anger dysregulation, but not depression. No evidence of indirect effects from witnessing family violence to dating aggression was found through any of the proposed mediators. Taken together, the findings suggest that anger dysregulation and normative beliefs are potential targets for dating abuse prevention efforts aimed at youth who have directly experienced violence.

The Role of Acceptance of Violence Beliefs and Social Information Processing on Dating Violence Perpetration

“…This relationship has been also found with regard to dating violence. Findings from cross-sectional (e.g., Choi et al, 2017;Sears, Byers, & Price, 2007;Smith-Darden et al, 2016) and longitudinal studies (Foshee et al, 2001;Reyes et al, 2015;Schumacher & Slep, 2004) have evidenced that adolescents who endorse beliefs that condone dating aggression are more likely to exhibit violent behaviors in their dating relationships. There are wellfounded psychological theories that account for this belief-behavior link, such as the cognitive dissonance theory (Festinger, 1957) and the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1977).…”

“…There are wellfounded psychological theories that account for this belief-behavior link, such as the cognitive dissonance theory (Festinger, 1957) and the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1977). Dating violence theoretical models have also emphasized the role of justifying aggression to explain aggressive behavior toward one's dating partner (Reyes et al, 2015;Riggs & O'Leary, 1996), and the change in this type of acceptance of violence beliefs has been the focus of an important number of dating violence preventive programs (Shorey et al, 2012;Whitaker et al, 2006).…”

“…Beliefs about the acceptance of partner aggression are one such factor (e.g., Slep, Cascardi, Avery-Leaf, & O'Leary, 2001;Smith-Darden, Kernsmith, Reidy, & Cortina, 2016). Such beliefs develop during childhood and adolescence and have been identified as antecedents of intimate partner violence in adolescents (Foshee, Linder, MacDougall, & Bangdiwala, 2001;Reyes et al, 2015;Schumacher & Slep, 2004). Importantly, theoretical cognitive models propose that core beliefs or schemas act as distal antecedents guiding subsequent social information processing (SIP), which in turn acts as a proximal antecedent of behavior (Anderson & Bushman, 2002;Dodge, Coie, & Lynam, 2006).…”

Adolescent Violence Towards Parents – The Known and Unknowns

“…For example, Martsolf, Colbert, and Draucker (2012) argue that mentoring and motivational interviewing are likely to be key components of success. Reyes et al (2015) also discuss the mediating role of normative beliefs about violence and poor anger management as key treatment targets. A systematic review by Cox et al (2016) also identifies the importance of enhancing protective factors at the individual and family level to ensure the success of any intervention, with Moore, Sargenton, Ferranti, and Gonzalez-Guarda (2015) also proposing that services are appropriately triaged after screening for AVTP.…”

“…Reyes et al. () also discuss the mediating role of normative beliefs about violence and poor anger management as key treatment targets. A systematic review by Cox et al.…”