Dating violence and psychosocial risk correlates among District of Columbia adolescents: The syndemic relationship

Physical dating violence (DV) and sexual violence (SV) victimization among adolescents can result in negative physical and mental health consequences. Prior national research has demonstrated an association between psychosocial risk correlates and DV/SV victimization. Given that Washington, D.C. has a higher prevalence of DV (17%) compared to the national average (10%), understanding these correlates for adolescents in this region can facilitate the development of primary prevention interventions to reduce the health consequences of DV/SV. The population included ninth through twelfth grade adolescents in D.C. who completed the 2003, 2005, or 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (n=5,474). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to assess DV/SV victimization with risk correlates (i.e., other violence, psychological well-being, substance use, and sexual risk behaviors). For recent DV, there was a positive association with recent reports of fighting, weapon carrying, feeling sad/hopeless, excessive drinking, and lack of condom use (ORs range from 1.6 – 2.5). For lifetime SV, there was a positive association with recent reports of feeling sad/hopeless, considering suicide, having multiple sex partners, and lack of condom use (ORs range from 1.6 – 3.5). There were no significant differences across years for DV; however, there was a decrease in SV over time. These findings suggest a strong correlation between DV/SV and psychosocial risk correlates among D.C. adolescents. Findings are congruent with prior national research on the topic and highlight the local need for DV/SV prevention as well as services to reduce the health burden related to DV among youth in DC.