Electronic aggression among adolescent dating partners: Associations with parent-child communication about social media use and other types of teen dating violence

Electronic aggression (e.g., using a cell phone, e-mail, or social networking sites to threaten, insult, spread rumors, or harass) among adolescent dating partners has received relatively little investigation despite growing societal concern. This study examines the associations between electronic aggression and 1) demographic correlates, 2) parent-child communication about social media use, and 2) other types of dating violence (psychological abuse and physical violence). This study is part of a larger outcome evaluation of a community-based initiative to prevent teen dating violence. The sample consists of 1430 7th graders from 8 schools in 3 states. The sample was 50% female, 34% Latino, 30% Black, 24% White, and 12% Other/Multiple. Data were collected in schools using a self-administered paper-and pencil survey. Measures included past 6-month incidence of victimization and perpetration of each dating violence behavior, parent-child communication about social media use, sex, and race/ethnicity.

Multilevel linear regression analyses of baseline data indicated the following: In model 1, electronic aggression victimization, the dependent variable, was positively associated with psychological abuse victimization and perpetration; and physical violence victimization and perpetration. In model 2, electronic aggression perpetration, the dependent variable, was positively associated with being male; being Latino; greater parent-child communication about social media use; psychological abuse perpetration; and physical violence victimization and perpetration.

Additional results will present co-occurrence of physical, psychological, and technology-based victimization and perpetration and examine predictors of constellations of these behaviors. The presentation will discuss these findings, as well as implications for future prevention, evaluation, and research efforts.