U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Teen Dating Violence: A Closer Look at Adolescent Romantic Relationships
NCJ Number
              224089
Journal

*NIJ Journal* Issue: 261 Dated: October 2008 Pages: 34-41
Author(s)
          Carrie  Mulford Ph.D.;
                        Peggy C. Giordano Ph.D.
Date Published

October 2008
Length
              8 pages
Annotation
              This article examines research sponsored by the U.S. Justice Department’s National Institute of Justice (NIJ) in order to present a gender-based analysis of teen dating violence with a developmental perspective, with attention to how adult and adolescent romantic relationships differ.
Abstract
              Findings from three studies show that frequently there is mutual physical aggression by girls and boys in romantic relationships; however, regarding motivations for using violence and the consequences for victims of teen dating violence, there are significant differences between the sexes. Although both boys and girls report that anger is the primary motivating factor for using violence, girls also commonly report self-defense as a motivating factor; and boys commonly cite the need to exert control. Boys are also more likely to react with laughter when their partner is physically aggressive. Girls, on the other hand, are more likely than boys to suffer long-term negative behavioral and health consequences, including suicide attempts, depression, cigarette smoking, and marijuana use. One difference between adolescent and adult relationships is the absence of elements traditionally associated with greater male power in adult relationships. Adolescent girls are not typically dependent on romantic partners for financial stability, and they are less likely to have children to support and protect. Adults who perpetrate violence against family members often view themselves as powerless in their relationships. This dynamic has yet to be adequately explored among teen dating partners. Other factors that are distinctive in teen romantic relationships are inexperience in communicating and relating in romantic relationships and the influence that peers exert on behaviors and attitudes. The findings on teen dating violence suggest interventions that provide services and programming for both boys and girls. Interventions must also distinguish between severe forms of violence and more common abuse. 29 notes
      
  
          Additional Details
Agencies
        NIJ


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Report (Study/Research)
    
  
  
Date Published: October 1, 2008
    
          Downloads
        
                      PDF
                  HTML

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Dating violence
        Female
        Male
        Male female offender comparisons
        Victimization



  
Similar Publications
        
                      Heterogeneity in Emotion Regulation Difficulties Among Women Victims of Domestic Violence: A Latent Profile Analysis
                  The Relationship Between Parents Intimate Partner Victimization and Youths Adolescent Relationship Abuse
                  Recruiting women into policing: Experimentally testing the effectiveness of recruiting materials
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov