My Beliefs of My Peers’ Beliefs

Abstract

Dating violence in adolescent relationships is a growing social problem in the United States. A majority of adolescents have dated by the time they finish high school and these experiences have an impact on their relationship trajectories as adults. Although more and more prevention efforts are aimed at reducing teen dating violence and/or teaching adolescents about healthy relationships, very few of these efforts investigate discrepancies in descriptive and injunctive norms associated with adolescent dating. This pilot study adds to the existing literature by investigating the dating norms of early and mid-adolescents to aid in tailoring prevention efforts among this population. One hundred eighty-seven middle and high school student leaders from public schools in the Midwest completed an annual relationship survey. Findings suggest that participants did not support unhealthy relationship norms overall. However, two patterns of discrepancies emerged: one between participant attitudes (descriptive norms) and their perceptions of peer attitudes (injunctive norms), and another between perceptions participants hold about their male versus female peers' beliefs. Results imply the development of pluralistic ignorance occurs during adolescence and that perceptions of peer norms are in line with the principles of hegemonic masculinity. Implications for possible prevention initiatives and future research directions are noted.

Perpetration of Adolescent Dating Relationship Abuse: The Role of Conditional Tolerance for Violence and Friendship Factors

“…Research has shown the association between the perpetration of dating abuse and perceived peer violence (Reed, Silverman, Raj, Decker, & Miller, 2011), and also that perceptions of peer violence are generally closer to the respondents’ own behavior than to the self-reported behavior of the peer (Meldrum & Boman Iv, 2013; Perkins, Haines, & Rice, 2005). Also, because there is not temporally ordered, self-reported information about peer behaviors relative to the respondent youth’s ADA perpetration, these data do not support distinction of peer selection versus peer influence, or investigation of direct peer influences, along the lines of research examining male peers’ encouragement to perpetrate dating abuse (Capaldi et al, 2001), as a potential moderator of indirect influences (descriptive and injunctive norms; Hertzog & Rowley, 2014). This study did not specify the nature of the problem discussed with friends or the nature of friends’ responses, a critical area for investigation to guide prevention messages to friendship and peer groups.…”

“…The disparity in tolerance for hitting boyfriends more so than for hitting girlfriends may reflect the advantages of showcasing masculinity as Hertzog and Rowley (2014) suggest. Absent the showcasing restriction, the common tolerance of hitting boyfriends among girls who date is of grave concern and, further, is relevant to youth prevention programs that address relationships and communications within friendship groups.…”

Understanding Factors that Shape Gender Attitudes in Early Adolescence Globally: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review

“…stereotypes related to sports and intelligence) [ 45 , 51 , 63 , 64 , 68 , 72 , 73 , 78 , 87 , 95 , 96 , 110 , 118 , 125 ] or endorsement of gender inequitable norms [ 47 , 49 , 56 , 96 , 116 , 119 – 121 ]. Other measurement categories included attitudes about gender-based violence [ 55 , 58 , 67 , 108 , 119 ], evaluation of gender non-conforming behaviors [ 53 , 70 , 74 , 107 , 123 ], and perceptions of the “ideal” man or woman [ 46 , 69 , 81 ]. Due to the heterogeneity in the quantitative measures, it was not possible to compare the prevalence and range of gender attitudes across studies.…”

Youth cyber dating abuse: A meta-analysis of risk and protective factors

“…Once again, peer risk factors may represent situational factors of the background-situational theory (Riggs & O'Leary, 1996), and mechanisms identified by the social learning theory may help understand this finding. Specifically, behaviors are learned through social interactions, and negative characteristics of the peer group can act as an unhealthy romantic relational model (Hertzog & Rowley, 2014). It has also been argued that CDA perpetrators seek and associated with others who have similar attitudes towards behaviors .…”