The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #65068

Laura F. Salazar, PhD¹, Gina M. Wingood, ScD, MPH², Ralph J. DiClemente, PhD¹, and Delia Lang, PhD, MPH¹. (1) Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd. 5th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30322, (404) 681-0370, lfsalaz@sph.emory.edu, (2) Rollins School of Public Health, Dept of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30322

The context of the dating relationship is an important factor that may be related to social support networks and that can help explain the way in which partner violence victimization may contribute to lower levels of perceived support and psychological well-being. The direct and indirect effects of dating violence victimization (i.e., verbal, emotional, and physical abuse) on psychological well-being (i.e., depressive symptomatology, self-esteem, and body image) and perceived social support was explored among 522 adolescent African American girls. A second aim was to determine whether social support mediated the hypothesized relationship between victimization and psychological well-being. Results from structural equation modeling indicated that dating violence victimization was associated with negative psychological outcomes and lower perceived social support. Moreover, social support explained the relationship between dating violence victimization and psychological well-being thereby serving as a mediator. Dating violence programs for African American adolescent girls should capitalize on the central role of family, church, and community as a means of fostering supportive networks and ameliorating the negative psychological sequelae of dating violence.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, participants will be able to (
• describe the negative effects of dating violence victimization on adolescent females, (
• articulate the mediating effects of social support on psychological well-being, and (
• discuss the importance of fostering protective social networks among African American adolescent females who may be experiencing dating violence.

Keywords: Child/Adolescent Mental Health, Violence

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.