Representations of dating violence in Chilean adolescents: A qualitative study

Abstract

Chilean adolescents (n = 48) between 14 and 18 years old recruited from public and private schools were asked in focus groups about their social representations of dating violence. Data analysis shows convergences and divergences in the participants' social representations. The boys and the girls from the two types of schools generally agreed about the definition and explanations of DV, as well as the differences in the violence used by boys and girls, adolescents and adults, and different social classes. Two main divergences stand out: first, the justification of DV differs by gender and type of school; and second, the experience of family violence is seen as a risk factor for or a protective factor against DV. The study highlights how changes with respect to gender relations in Chilean society have influenced violence in girls and boys. Recommendations for future research and for potential prevention strategies are made.