Gender and Adolescent Partner Abuse Perpetration Final rept

摘要

Studies consistently find that both male and female adolescents perpetrate partner violence (Bergman, 1992; Foshee, 1996; Henton et al. 1983; O'Keefe et al., 1986; Plass & Gessner 1983). The 'sexual symmetry' perspective on partner violence (Dobash et al., 1992) suggests that the process of using violence is the same for males and females. In the proposed two and a half year study, we challenge the sexual symmetry perspective by hypothesizing that the social context when partner violence is used and the etiology of partner violence is very different for males and females. The study aims are to examine gender differences in: (1) the social context when partner violence is used, including: (a) relationship characteristics (b) precipitating emotions, (c) precipitating events, (d) intended outcomes of using violence, (e) actual outcomes of using violence, and, (f) situational characteristics when the violence was used; and, (2) the etiology of partner violence, specifically examining gender differences in the influence of seven precursor domains: (a) personal competencies; (b) relationship expectations; (c) family characteristics; (d) peer group characteristics; (e) environmental stressors; (f) perceived partner violence norms; and (g) social control. The proposed study is embedded in an ongoing, longitudinal, evaluation study of adolescent dating violence, called the Safe Dates project. Gender differences will be examined using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative method includes in-depth interviews with a random sample of 80 female and 80 male known perpetrators of partner violence. These perpetrators will be identified based on data from the Safe Dates study. The data from in-depth interviews will be used primarily to determine gender differences in the social context when violence is used. The quantitative method includes a longitudinal study of 1,967 adolescents already participating in the Safe Dates study. These adolescents completed self-administered questionnaires in school when they were in the 8th, 9th, and 10th grades, and will be completing questionnaires in the 11th and 12th grades. Adolescents who dropped-out of school have completed and will continue to complete questionnaires.