Research suggests that teen dating violence prevention programs should be initiated in middle/junior high school (grades 6-8) before dating relationship norms are established. Little information is currently available on dating behaviors or the prevalence of teen dating violence (TDV) among middle school students. In 1997 the RI Teen Dating Violence Prevention Project surveyed students (n=4,401) in 17 middle schools. As part of a secondary prevention intervention, a sample of predominantly at-risk youth (n=837) were screened for the following predictors of TDV: alcohol and drug use, witnessing parental violence, child physical or sexual abuse, acceptance of couple violence, and acceptance of rape myths. In this presentation, data on the prevalence of self-reported dating, and TDV victimization and perpetration will be presented. Prevalence of the predictors of TDV among at-risk youth will also be presented. Grade and gender differences, and gaps in our knowledge of the context of dating and TDV occurring among middle school students will be discussed. Contrary to adult perceptions, middle school students are engaging in fledgling dating relationships, they are already experiencing TDV, and the prevalence of predictors of TDV is disturbingly high.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, attendees will be able to: 1) describe the prevalence of dating, and TDV victimization and perpetration in a middle school population, 2) discuss gender and grade differences in prevalence, 3)describe the distribution of predictors of TVD in at-risk middle school students, and 4) identify questions to be addressed in future research.
Keywords: Adolescents, Violence
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.