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

Abstract #71038

Alida Knuth¹, Rita Noonan, PhD¹, Erika Reed-Gross, MHS², Kathryn Yudd, MS², and Leslie Brenowitz³. (1) National Center for Injury Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Mailstop K60, Atlanta, GA 30341, (2) Westat, 2971 Flowers Road South, Oglethorpe Building, Suite 180, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-455-4897, reede@westat.com, (3) Porter Novelli, 1909 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006

Findings from surveys such as the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) have begun to highlight the problem of violence in adolescent dating relationships. According to Add Health, one third of adolescents reported some type of victimization by a dating partner (Halpern et al, AJPH, 2001). Nationwide, 9.5% of adolescents participating in the YRBS survey had been intentionally hit, slapped, or physically hurt by a dating partner at least once in the 12 months preceding the survey (CDC, 2002). In an effort to address this problem, CDC contracted with Westat to conduct focus groups with 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to identify their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding opposite-sex dating relationships, including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Findings revealed that while neither physical nor sexual abuse is widespread, verbally and emotionally abusive behaviors (often designed to publicly humiliate) are not only common but often considered acceptable. Across groups, there was uniform condemnation for physical abuse of dating partners (especially among boys) and few have seen or heard of physical abuse among peers. However, when asked to discuss why physical abuse is wrong, boys expressed little to no empathy and most focused on the consequences of hitting a girl (arrest or suspension) and/or the “unmanliness” of hitting a girl. Norms about intervening in observed acts of violence and participants’ opinions about sources of information and support were also explored. Additional findings, including implications for future communication efforts, will also be presented.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to
• articulate prevailing attitudes and beliefs among middle schoolers regarding dating violence and
• identify related communication needs and opportunities.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Violence Prevention

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.