Off- and Online Heterosexual Dating Violence, Perceived Attachment to Parents and Peers and Suicide Risk in Young Women

Abstract

Dating violence (DV) is a public health problem among young people, especially women. It involves violent acts towards one’s partner and occurs face-to-face (offline) or through the Internet (online). Offline DV is linked to suicidal ideation and attachment to parents and peers. Fewer studies analyze the psychological and social consequences of online DV. This study tests the link between young women’s DV victimization (off- and online), suicide risk (SR), and parent and peer support in a sample of young Spanish females (N = 1227) (Mage=19, SD = 2.82; range = 13–28). Results confirm that compared to non-victims off- and online DV increase suicidal thoughts and attempts. This effect is stronger for victims of both types of DV (thoughts: OR offline DV = 3.11; CI95% 2.06, 4.69; OR online DV = 2.37; CI95% 1.69, 3.32; OR off-online DV = 4.19 CI95% 2.44, 7.17) (attempts: OR offline DV = 4.02; CI95% 1.83, 8.81; OR online DV = 3.69; CI95% 1.96, 7.01; OR off-online DV = 10.55 CI95% 2.56, 44.43). Mediation and moderation models were used to assess the effect of perceived attachment of parents and friends in DV victims and SR. Mediation analyses indicated that perceived attachment and proximity to parents and peers reduces the impact of DV on SR. Moderation analyses showed that a high level of perceived peer attachment reduces the effect of offline DV on SR. Regarding off-online DV, a high level of perceived parent attachment mitigates suicide risk. Loneliness, lack of care from loved ones, and thwarted belongingness increase suicidal thoughts in DV victims. Peers and parents’ proximity may prevent risk behaviors in DV victims.

Cyber and Offline Dating Abuse in a Portuguese Sample: Prevalence and Context of Abuse

“…As also reported by other relevant international studies, e.g., [ 20 , 51 , 53 ], the present study found high indicators in terms of CDA victimization (38.2%) and perpetration (42.2%). These results are lower than those found in a Spanish study by Cava et al [ 16 ], with 68.8% of teenage girls reporting some ODA and also lower than the results of another Portuguese study by Caridade and Braga [ 15 ] using the same instrument, which found 59.2% by CDA victimization and 66.9% by CDA perpetration.…”

“…The results in this study showed positive correlations between all forms of ODA victimization and perpetration (i.e., physical, verbal–emotional and control) and the two forms of CDA (i.e., control and direct aggression) in both victimization and perpetration patterns. The existence of this close connection between ODA and CDA has also been found in several previous relevant international studies, e.g., [ 12 , 16 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 53 , 59 ]. In effect, the literature has been conceptualizing CDA either as a form of psychological abuse, frequently related to face-to-face intimate violence [ 60 ], or as an extension of ODA [ 61 ].…”

Loneliness, Depressive Mood and Cyberbullying Victimization in Adolescent Victims of Cyber Dating Violence

“…CDV is considered qualitatively different from offline dating violence and may have even more negative outcomes than offline victimization [6,9,14,15,19,40]. Previous studies have linked CDV victimization with depressive symptoms [9,28], anxiety [28], suicide risk [7], emotional/psychological distress and low self-esteem [15,36]. However, some researchers have suggested that adolescents' perception of some abusive behaviors as normal behaviors in a romantic relationship can minimize these negative outcomes [41,42].…”

“…Adolescents and young people use communication technologies to initiate, maintain and end romantic relationships [4][5][6]. These communication technologies facilitate affective links with romantic partners, but can also be used to perpetrate dating violence [6][7][8][9]. CDV is defined as the control, threat, harassment, stalking and abuse of current or former dating partners via technology and social media [5,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15].…”

“…This wide variability encountered in studies may be due to differences in the measurement instrument employed and the type of measured behaviors [5]. In previous studies that have differentiated between cyber-control and cyber-aggression behaviors, a higher prevalence of cyber-control was observed [7,21,25,28]. This higher prevalence of cyber-control behaviors has been related to adolescents being less aware of these behaviors as a form of cyber abuse given their belief in myths of romantic love that make them even consider such behaviors to be signs of love, e.g., linking jealousy and control with love [11,29].…”