Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #114876

Maranda C. Ward, MPH, Office of the Director, National Health Service Corp, Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Parklawn Building, Room 8A-55, Rockville, MD 20857 and Pamela M. McMahon, PhD, MPH, Family & Community Medicine, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, 1430 Tulane Ave., TB3, New Orleans, LA 70112, 504-988-4700, pmcmaho@tulane.edu.

Background: Most of the past research on intimate partner violence has been conducted with populations that are predominantly white. This study aims to assess gender differences in intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration among black youth in dating relationships. Methods: Seven hundred fifty ninth graders from eight high schools in rural Mississippi completed a 13 page Youth Dating Violence Survey. Nearly 100% of the respondents were African Americans. Basic demographic information on sex and age as well as information on perpetration of various types of IPV were collected. Results demonstrate that males were significantly more likely to perpetrate sexual violence against their partners whereas females were significantly more likely to report engaging in psychological and physical abuse of their dating partners. Conclusions: The study findings highlight gender differences evident among varying forms of dating violence perpetration and suggest that gender is an important factor for researchers and program planners to consider when attempting to create, implement and evaluate dating violence prevention and intervention programs for black youth.

Learning Objectives: After attending this session, attendees should be able to

• Discuss male gender as a risk factor for sexual IPV perpetration among black youth; and
• Discuss female gender as a risk factor for physical and psychological IPV perpetration among black youth.

Keywords: Youth Violence, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.