August Huynh

Risk factors for teen dating violence

tthoma8 — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 14:13:19 +0000

Risk factors for teen dating violence tthoma8 Thu, 02/15/2024 - 09:13

In This Story

Dating can be an exciting time as a teenager. They can go on their first date, or even experience a first kiss. However, some teens may not have the same positive experience—according to UCLA Health, one in every 10 teens experience dating violence. Dating violence, also known as intimate partner violence, can include aspects such as physical violence and emotional and verbal abuse. Some teens may be more at risk of experiencing dating violence than others due to certain risk factors.

During Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (February), Daphne King, an assistant professor at George Mason University, stresses the importance of parents identifying potential risk factors and promoting healthy relationship dynamics with their children at an early age.

“The sooner a parent is in intervening, the less likely their child is to experience the long-term detrimental effects of experiencing teen dating violence,” King said.

Teen dating violence risk factors broadly fall into four categories:

Sexual history, including:
- Sexual activity before the age of 16
- History of experiencing sexual abuse
Family background, including:
- Minimal to nonexistent parental supervision
- Exposure to interparental or family violence
Poor self-regulation skills, including:
- Low self-esteem
- Depression
- Anger management issues
Social environment, including:
- Interaction with peers who also engage in teen dating violence
- Participating in risky behaviors such as alcohol and substance misuse
- Growing up in a community that normalizes or accepts violence

More information about risk factors can be found in research by The National Institute of Justice.

Youth who are exposed to teen dating violence, as either a victim or perpetrator, are more likely to continue to be victimized or perpetrate intimate partner violence later in their lives than youth who aren’t. King recommends that parents:

Talk honestly about what physical, emotional, and sexual abuse can look like from a significant other
Know and recognize the signs of intimate partner violence and abuse
Model healthy relationships for their teen
Talk to other parents about teen dating violence to reduce the stigma

Teens and parents can visit loveisrespect.org or www.thatsnotcool.com for support and help. Additional resources: National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.

To speak to Dr. King, contact Michelle Thompson at 703-993-3485 or mthomp7@gmu.edu.

About George Mason

George Mason University, Virginia’s largest public research university, enrolls 39,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason has grown rapidly over the last half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity and commitment to accessibility. In 2022, Mason celebrates 50 years as an independent institution. Learn more at http://www.gmu.edu.

About the College of Public Health

The College of Public Health at George Mason University is the first and only College of Public Health in Virginia and a national leader in inclusive, interprofessional, public health research, education, and practice. The College is comprised of public health disciplines, health administration and policy, informatics, nursing, nutrition, and social work. The College offers a distinct array of degrees to support research and training of professionals dedicated to ensuring health and well-being for all. The College’s transdisciplinary research seeks to understand the many factors that influence the public’s health and well-being throughout the lifespan. Areas of focus include prevention and treatment of infectious and chronic diseases, inequalities and marginalized communities, environmental health and climate change, nutrition, violence, mental and behavioral health, informatics, and health technologies. With more than 500 partners, the College serves the community through research, practice, and clinical care with a focus on the social determinants of health and health equity.

The College enrolls more than 1,900 undergraduate and 1,300 graduate students in our nationally-recognized programs, including 6 undergraduate degrees, 8 master’s degrees, and 5 doctoral degrees, and 6 certificate programs. Our graduates are uniquely prepared to thrive in an increasingly multicultural, multidisciplinary, community-focused public health landscape.

Topics

Tip Sheet

Social Work Faculty

teen dating violence

Intimate Partner Violence

Domestic Violence

CHHS Research

Intimate partner violence happens to every gender and partner pairings

Mary Cunningham — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 21:33:04 +0000

Intimate partner violence happens to every gender and partner pairings Mary Cunningham Fri, 10/06/2023 - 17:33

In This Story

Denise Hines, PhD

Approximately 1 in 3 men report experiencing at least one form of intimate partner violence (IPV) during their lifetimes, according to the CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey. Although on average, women tend to be impacted more by IPV in comparison to men, it is critical to acknowledge that IPV perpetration and victimization is not gendered. It is also important to acknowledge that men can be greatly impacted, with consequences including PTSD, depression, suicidal behaviors, other mental health problems, physical health problems, physical injuries, and even death. IPV can affect anyone, regardless of their gender or the gender of their partner.

For Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October), Denise Hines, an expert on male survivors of intimate partner violence, highlights why male survivors’ stories are rarely heard in conversations about IPV.

“Male survivors face several unique challenges when navigating how to get help,” Hines says. “Many can’t get the help they need or simply don’t reach out because of various cultural and social factors working against them.”

An overwhelming number of resources available to survivors are specifically catered toward women, which can alienate men seeking help. Men are also socialized to not express their emotions and are often shamed for speaking up about their abuse because of the widespread belief that men can’t be survivors of abuse, especially in a heterosexual relationship. Since reports of abuse from male survivors are infrequent, it is especially challenging to conduct research on this population. The current research indicates that male survivors of IPV experience similar rates of physical and mental health problems from their abuse as female survivors.

If you are experiencing intimate partner violence, know that you aren’t alone, and help is always available. Call the National Domestic Violence Support Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text “Start” to 88788 to speak to a trained advocate.

You can find some resources specifically for men here.

Denise Hines, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Social Work, College of Public Health, at George Mason University. She is one of the world’s leading experts on male victims of domestic violence and false allegations against them. Hines’ expertise includes the causes, consequences, and prevention of family violence and sexual assault, with a particular focus on under-recognized victims of violence. As the former director of the Massachusetts Family Impact Seminars, she also has a specialization in translating university-based research for policymakers.

Dr. Hines is the author of over 70 peer-reviewed articles and two books on issues of family violence, one of which – Family Violence in the United States – was released by Sage in its third edition in 2021. She and her colleagues are currently working on an international handbook entitled, Handbook of Men’s Victimization in Intimate Relationships, under contract with Taylor and Francis. She has spoken about her work in front of various audiences, including state coalitions against domestic violence, the Massachusetts State legislature, the White House domestic policy staff, staff of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Canadian Parliament.

To speak with Dr. Hines, contact Michelle Thompson at 703-993-3485 or mthomp7@gmu.edu.

About Mason

George Mason University, Virginia’s largest public research university, enrolls 39,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason has grown rapidly over the last half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility. In 2022, Mason celebrates 50 years as an independent institution. Learn more at http://www.gmu.edu.

About College of Public Health at George Mason University

The College of Public Health at George Mason University is the first and only College of Public Health in Virginia combining public health transdisciplinary research, education, and practice in the Commonwealth as a national exemplar. The College enrolls more than 1,900 undergraduate and 1,300 graduate students in our nationally recognized programs, including six undergraduate degrees, eight master’s degrees, five doctoral degrees, and six professional certificate programs. The College is comprised of the School of Nursing and the Departments of Global and Community Health, Health Administration and Policy, Nutrition and Food Studies, and Social Work.

Topics

Tip Sheet

Intimate Partner Violence