Characteristics of High-Risk Adolescents' Dating Violence

Abstract

Eighty-nine high-risk dating violent (DV) and non–dating violent (NDV) male and female adolescents were compared on several factors within the domains of behavioral problems, psychological adjustment, and parenting, in this exploratory investigation. Dating violence status was then regressed onto the significantly differing factors. DV males reported more violence against a past partner and marijuana usage in the past year, earlier onset of drug use other than marijuana, and elevated levels of externalization (together accounting for 58% of variance), whereas DV females reported elevated rates of internalization and having received less parental involvement, supervision, and behavioral control (together accounting for 35% of variance). Past dating violence for males and internalization for females accounted for significant unique variance. Findings, clinical implications, and directions for future research on high-risk adolescent dating violence are discussed.