Father Involvement, Dating Violence, and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among a National Sample of Adolescent Females

Longitudinal Associations Between Adolescent Dating Violence Victimization and Adverse Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Evidence on the outcomes of adolescent dating violence (ADV) victimization mainly derives from cross-sectional studies, which have limitations in suggesting causal relationships. Furthermore, the complexity of factors and overlapping dimensions in dating violence research, such as the forms of violence experienced, may have contributed to the variability of findings across the literature. To address these gaps and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of ADV, this study reviews findings from prospective cohort studies, with a focus on the type of violence experienced and the gender of the victim. A systematic search was conducted in nine electronic databases and additional relevant journals. Prospective longitudinal studies were included if dating violence victimization occurred during adolescence and chronologically preceded the outcomes. A quality assessment was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A narrative approach was used to synthesize findings. After screening 1,838 records, 14 publications met the selection criteria and were included in this review. Our findings suggest that experiencing ADV is longitudinally associated with many adverse outcomes, including higher internalizing symptoms and externalizing behaviors, poorer well-being, increased substance use, and increased revictimization. However, the associations are not consistently reported across studies when considering the type of ADV experienced and the gender of the victim. This review highlights the limited number of longitudinal studies examining the outcomes of ADV victimization, the unbalanced approach in investigating different forms of violence, and the lack of diverse samples examining this subject. Implications for research, policy, and practice are outlined.

The Associations between Father Involvement and Father-Daughter Relationship Quality on Girls' Experience of Social Bullying Victimization

With much research into physical, cyber, and verbal bullying victimization, social bullying victimization is a type of victimization that can be hidden. Studies about Black father involvement have found involvement to be a buffer to adverse and risky behaviors of children, including different forms of victimization experienced by their daughters. This study examined one gap in the literature: the direct and potentially indirect associations between father involvement and father-child relationship quality on child reports of social bullying victimization among girls. The cross-sectional sample of 368 Black fathers and their daughters was sourced from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing study. Data from wave 5 were selected for the child (age 9) and father because social bullying victimization was first measured at this time point. Logistic regression analysis findings showed father involvement was associated with lower social bullying victimization. In addition, talking and sharing ideas quite well rather than extremely well with their fathers was associated with higher odds of social bullying victimization. Father-daughter relationship quality did not mediate the father involvement and social bullying victimization relationship. Findings provide additional support to include fathers, particularly Black fathers, in intervention/prevention efforts and the importance of increasing awareness and benefits of father involvement in subtle forms of victimization such as social bullying victimization among Black families.

(Mis)measuring men's involvement in global health: the case of expectant fathers in Dakar, Senegal

Background

In 2018, USAID published a report based on Demographic and Health Surveys data on the relationship between men’s involvement and women and children’s health outcomes. Using a flawed operationalization of “men’s involvement,” USAID’s analysis implies that Senegalese men are not involved in women and children’s health.

Methods

The findings of this study come from 12 months of ethnographic research in Dakar, Senegal that examined the roles and responsibilities of expectant fathers. Research participants included 32 pregnant women and 27 expectant partners recruited from three maternity wards. Research methods included long-term, immersive participant observation and semi-structured interviews.

Results

Pregnant women in Senegal are surrounded by a kin-based network of care providers called the entourage who share responsibilities for support. Expectant fathers, as members of the entourage, are expected to provide financial and emotional support, while other members of the entourage are expected to undertake the responsibilities which USAID have designated as “men’s involvement.” Men typically do not undertake additional forms of care and support because they are considered “women’s business,” meaning that women actively discourage men from doing those things, in order to preserve women’s autonomy.

Conclusion

This research demonstrates that expectant fathers are involved in antenatal care in ways that USAID does not track through DHS. Further, I argue that USAID’s heterosexist, monogamous, and nuclear operationalization of “men’s involvement” aligns with a long history of Eurocentrism in development discourse which may be potentially harmful and obstructive to improving maternal and child health when the problem that is targeted is not a problem at all. This study is yet another case that demonstrates an urgent need of public and global health engagement with local stakeholders and ethnographic researchers.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-022-05093-0.

Dating violence, violence in social networks, anxiety and depression in nursing degree students: A cross-sectional study

AIM

To determine the prevalence and risk factors for dating violence and the correlations between dating violence and violence in social networks, anxiety and depression among nursing students.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional and correlational study.

METHODS

This study was conducted with nursing degree students at Spanish university during May 2021. A total of 248 nursing students completed an online survey. The online survey included sociodemographic variables, the Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory, the Social Network Violence Scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Chi-squared test, Pearson's correlation and logistic regression were used.

RESULTS

Of the participants, 13.3% were men and 86.7% were women. A total of 53.2% had experienced and/or perpetrated dating violence. About violence in social networks, 22.2% of the participants had perpetrated it, and 20.2% had been victims of it. Strong correlations were found between experiencing and perpetrating dating violence. Significant associated factors were cohabitation with a partner, alcohol consumption, socioeconomic status and history of dating violence.

CONCLUSIONS

Dating violence is a serious problem given its high prevalence among the surveyed nursing students, who, as future health professionals, must know how to recognize and react to possible cases of abuse.

IMPACT

The study results add to international literature that men and women university nursing students are equally susceptible to intimate partner violence and report similar prevalence of dating violence. Also, dating violence is correlated with increased levels of anxiety and depression. It seems to be necessary to implement training programmes that help minimize the problem and identify possible cases.

Abiétar D, Sánchez-Martínez F, Forcadell-Díez L, Pérez G, Sanz-Barbero B. Dating violence and associated factors among male and female adolescents in Spain

Background

Dating Violence (DV) is a public health problem that is on the rise. In this paper, we aim to analyse different factors associated with DV victimization among female and male adolescents in Spain, considering socioeconomic circumstances, sexual orientation and the presence of different attitudes and experiences related to violence.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from a convenience sample of 640 ever-partnered adolescents aged 13 to 17 at schools in the cities of Alicante (n = 359, 50.1% girls) and Terrassa (n = 281, 51.9%) in the context of an educational intervention to promote healthy relationships. We calculated the prevalence of different forms of DV (physical, sexual and control and fear) and carried out multivariate regression models by sex.

Results

5.5% of girls and 8.7% of boys declared having suffered lifetime physical and/or sexual violence, while 22% of girls and 20.5% of boys reported control and/or fear victimization. The likelihood of DV was higher among migrants and those with foreign-born parents (aPR girls = 2.1 CI95%: 1.1–3.9; aPR boys = 1.9: CI95%: 1.0–3.6); prior experiences of abuse (aPR girls = 1.6; CI95%: 1.0–2.6; aPR boys = 1.7; CI95%: 1.1–2.6); and those who showed higher levels of machismo (aPR girls = 1.0; CI95%: 1.0–1.1; aPR boys = 1.0; CI95%: 1.0–1.1). In girls, DV increased among those who reported lesbian/bisexual orientation and poor relationship with teachers.

Conclusions

DV is socially patterned and increases among LGB adolescents (especially in the case of girls), migrants, and those with foreign-born parents, and adolescents who reported prior experiences of violence in childhood. Future DV prevention programs should consider social inequalities in the likelihood of DV and by reinforcing adolescents’ abilities to recognize social support sources and reject machismo and violence.

Family Matters: The Support of Parents to Change Black Male's Attitudes Towards HIV

This study explored the associations between family (mother and father support), peers, and individual factors (self-efficacy) and how these relationships influence HIV attitudes among African American males 12 to 19 years of age, with an average age of 16 years. For this study, we used restricted data obtained from Wave I of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (ADD Health). Descriptive statistics suggest that most of the sample had negative attitudes towards HIV. Bivariate regression analysis followed by a linear regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors that were associated with HIV attitudes. Major findings from regression analysis indicate that mother support, father support, self-efficacy, and age, predicted HIV attitudes. Mother support positively predicted positive HIV attitudes and surprisingly, father support negatively predicted HIV attitudes. Our findings can be used to better inform HIV prevention and intervention programs to help Black males stay healthy.

Dating Violence Victimization among Adolescents in Europe: Baseline Results from the Lights4Violence Project

Dating violence (DV) among adolescents is a public health issue because of its negative health consequences. In this study, we aimed to analyse the prevalence and the psychosocial and socioeconomic risk and protective factors associated DV among male and female adolescents in Europe. It was performed a cross-sectional study based on a non-probabilistic sample of 1555 students aged 13–16 years (2018–2019). The global prevalence of DV victimization was significantly greater among girls than boys (girls: 34.1%, boys: 26.7%; p = 0.012). The prevalence of DV in both girls and boys was greater for those over age 15 (girls: 48.5% p < 0.001; boys: 35.9%; p = 0.019). There was an increased likelihood of DV victimization among girls whose fathers did not have paid employment (p = 0.024), who suffered abuse in childhood, and reported higher Benevolent Sexism [PR (CI 95%): 1.01 (1.00–1.03)] and machismo [1.02 (1.00–1.05)]. In the case of boys, the likelihood of DV increased with abuse in childhood (p = 0.018), lower parental support [0.97 (0.96–0.99)], high hostile sexism scores (p = 0.019), lower acceptance of violence (p = 0.009) and high machismo (p < 0.001). Abuse in childhood was shown to be the main factor associated with being a victim of DV in both population groups, as well as sexism and machismo attitudes. These results may contribute to future DV prevention school programs for both, teenagers and children of elementary school ages.

Learning About HIV: Predicting the Sources of Knowledge That Matter Regarding HIV Testing Among a National Sample of Black and Latinx Adolescents and Young Adults in the United States

This study investigated the knowledge and beliefs of a nationally representative sample of youth and young adults about HIV based on the microsystems and mesosystems of the ecodevelopmental theory. We used a stratified sample (n = 538) of Black and Latinx adolescents and young adults in the United States, 15-24 years of age, at risk of becoming infected with HIV to assess the source of their HIV knowledge and its association with HIV testing to identify modifiable factors that can support the development of interventions addressing HIV-related risks. Using a logistic regression analysis, findings suggest that identifying protective health behaviors, such as providing adolescents and young adults with sexual health information that is accurate, trustworthy, and safe, could be one way to reduce their risk of HIV infection. Expanding knowledge about the important role and influence of sources of HIV-related knowledge on testing behaviors can inform HIV prevention and intervention programs specific to this population.

Sex-Based Differences in Criminal Victimization of Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis

While general criminological theories, including low self-control, social bonds, routine activities, and risky lifestyles are increasingly used to explain criminal victimization, there is some evidence these theories may omit important sex differences. To date, the empirical evidence remains mixed, which may be an artifact of methodological differences. This study used three-level meta-analytic methods to assess the use of various predictors derived from criminological theory on a variety of criminal victimization types, sample characteristics, and differences in research design. In a total sample of 166,650 females and 129,988 males in 115 studies using 95 unique datasets of adolescents (average age = 10-19), the meta-analysis revealed that elements of risky lifestyles are largely sex-neutral, while some sex-specific effects of bonds, routine activities, and prior victimization are observed. Implications for criminological theory, developmental and life course research on adolescent victimization, and avenues for prevention are discussed.

Understanding of personal agency among youth to curtail HIV rates

We aimed to discover which social factors influence protective health behaviors among Black youth. We measured study variables based on data from the National Survey of Teens and Young Adults on HIV/AIDS. Participants include youth aged 15 to 24 who completed a 40-question, web-based survey. The analytical sample of participants (n = 270) only comprised African American youth, mean age 20 years (SD: 0.28). Using multiple regression analysis, study findings suggest that focusing on protective health behaviors, such as personal agency among youth, with variables like personal perception and concern and HIV testing could be one way to reduce their risk of HIV transmission. Enhancing the role and influence of personal agency given their testing behaviors can inform HIV prevention and intervention programs that are specific to Black youth. Our findings identify targets for intervention to enhance personal agency in this population, including enhancing HIV risk prevention.

Teen-dating violence: conception of adolescents in a Brazilian metropolis

Background:

Teen-dating violence (TDV) can lead to health problems for those involved, especially females, including homicides and is predictive of intimate partner violence in adulthood.

Methods:

To analyze the adolescents' perception of definitions, justifications and consequences of TDV, a qualitative study through 13 focus groups with 132 high school students from public and private schools of Rio de Janeiro city, including 70 girls and 62 boys was conducted. We followed a guide with questions about interpersonal violence and participants completed a self-administered questionnaire on socio-demographic data. The data analysis included reading and comprehension of the textual data; coding of the reports according to the emerged categories; identification of the meanings attributed by the subjects to the questions raised; comparative dialogue with literature; and elaboration of interpretative synthesis.

Results:

Most adolescents affirmed that TDV is not justifiable. However, in practice, they found it acceptable in certain situations. The narratives of the boys were based on the role of the perpetrator and the girls on that of the victim. Violence occurs when the man feels his power challenged and is influenced by situations of violence experienced in his own family as victims or witnesses. The TDV consequences are for the women and include, in addition to physical and psychological damage, relational problems in other spheres such as family, friends and school. The experience of violence was more common among public school students.

Conclusions:

The adolescents’ narratives reflect the gender patterns of society in which violence results from inequality of power. The data of this study offer subsidies to policies on TDV prevention and its consequences. They can contribute to training primary care professionals to identify on clinical consultations signs and symptoms of violence and to develop interventions to reduce the health problems of victims.

A Meta-Analysis of Risk and Protective Factors for Dating Violence Victimization: The Role of Family and Peer Interpersonal Context

Dating violence (DV) is a widespread social issue that has numerous deleterious repercussions on youths' health. Family and peer risk factors for DV have been widely studied, but with inconsistent methodologies, which complicates global comprehension of the phenomenon. Protective factors, although understudied, constitutes a promising line of research for prevention. To date, there is no comprehensive quantitative review attempting to summarize knowledge on both family and peer factors that increase or decrease the risk for adolescents and emerging adults DV victimization. The current meta-analysis draws on 87 studies with a total sample of 278,712 adolescents and young adults to examine effect sizes of the association between various family and peer correlates of DV victimization. Results suggest small, significant effect sizes for all the family (various forms of child maltreatment, parental support, and parental monitoring) and peer factors (peer victimization, sexual harassment, affiliation with deviant peers, and supportive/prosocial peers) in the prediction of DV. With few exceptions, forms of DV (psychological, physical, and sexual), gender, and age did not moderate the strength of these associations. In addition, no difference was found between the magnitude of family and peer factors' effect sizes, suggesting that these determinants are equally important in predicting DV. The current results provide future directions for examining relations between risk and protective factors for DV and indicate that both peers and family should be part of the development of efficient prevention options.

Causes and consequences of adolescent dating violence: a systematic review

Background:

Adolescent dating violence (ADV) is highly prevalent and can have serious health consequences, including homicides, and be a predictor of intimate partner violence in adulthood. This review aims to systematize the knowledge produced in recent empirical investigations in health that focus on the causes and consequences of ADV to subsidize new research and prevention programs.

Methods:

Review of studies published in PubMed over the last five years through MeSH Database: “Intimate Partner Violence” AND “Adolescent” NOT “prevention and control” NOT “Adult”.

Results:

We analyzed 35 papers, of which 71.4% were developed in the USA. Some studies have shown prevalence greater than 50% in both genders, both as victims and perpetrators, with more serious consequences for females. Three main thematic cores were identified in the studies: ADV-related vulnerabilities, circularity of violence and ADV-associated health problems. Data indicate that ADV is deep-seated in the patriarchal culture and is more frequent in connection with racism, heterosexism and poverty. It occurs in a circular way and is linked to other forms of violence in different contexts (family, school, community and social media). It is associated with health problems such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, alcohol and drugs abuse and unprotected sex.

Conclusions:

The knowledge produced in the studies reviewed reveals the urgency and importance of implementing early preventive actions in schools, involving families and the community. These should focus on the deconstruction of current cultural gender patterns, based on their historical origin, in order to support emancipatory and liberating pedagogical approaches.

Feeling Under Pressure: Perspectives of the Meaning of Love and Sexual Relationships Amongst Young Men in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

This study aimed to explore perspectives on the meaning of love and sexual relations amongst young men in KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. Gaining insights into these perspectives will help to understand the sexual behaviors of these young men better and to eventually develop more effective HIV prevention interventions. Focus group discussions were conducted in two study areas using a predetermined semistructured discussion guide. The findings indicate that the phenomenon of romantic relationship try-outs together with the idea of "feeling under pressure" to propose love to more than one woman seem to be accepted practices that often lead to multiple concurrent sexual partners and therefore potentially risky sexual behaviors. The fear of impregnating a woman is seen to be of a more significant concern than acquiring a sexually transmitted infection due to the stigma and embarrassment associated with pregnancy outside marriage. Given these findings, it is recommended that future studies investigate perspectives on sexuality and reproductive health in male populations in great detail prior to the development of behavioral change interventions because failure to do so may hamper well-intended but poorly targeted health interventions.

The Context of Sexual Decisions and Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Factors Related to Sexual Initiation Among Female Military-Dependent Youth

Despite the sizable population of military-dependent youth (MDY) in the United States and the military stressors they experience (e.g., relocations, parental deployment), little is known about MDY's sexual behavior, especially about the perceived role that military stressors play in their sexual decisions, such as the decision to initiate sex. We conducted 25 semistructured, in-depth interviews with sexually experienced female MDY aged 15 to 19 years to (a) describe MDY's general perceptions of military life and (b) identify intrapersonal and interpersonal characteristics related to MDY's sexual initiation, including the perceived impact of military stressors. We analyzed life history grids and transcripts to identify common and unique themes across participants' experiences. Most participants reported having positive experiences related to military life, and most did not believe that military stressors influenced their decision to initiate sex. Common intrapersonal and interpersonal characteristics related to sexual initiation were having an older first sexual partner, being in a dating relationship, receiving sexual health education prior to their first sexual experience, and discussing sex with a parent prior to their first sexual experience. These intrapersonal and interpersonal characteristics should be considered when developing sexual health programs for MDY, which should focus on building supportive peer and parental relationships.