The association between teen dating violence, dates’ substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and suicide: Fez city as a case study

Abstract

Introduction Teen dating in an Arab and a Muslim country as Morocco happens very often in secret and without parents’ knowledge. The secretive nature of such relationships increases the likelihood of negative practices’ occurrence, which have traumatic effects on the mental and physical health of daters. This study aimed to explore and analyse the association between intimate partners’ substance abuse, violence occurrence, and participants’ feelings of depression, anxiety, and suicidality. Methods This cross sectional study was conducted in Fez city, and self-administered questionnaires were distributed among a sample of 407 Moroccan secondary school students. Socio-demographic data were obtained using a standard questionnaire. Information on mental and physical health of daters was collected using validated scales. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 20.0. Results The mean age of participants was 16.67 ± 1.71, and about 52.8% were males. As many as 72% of participants were in high school, and the majority (41.5%) were from poor families. Concerning teen dating violence occurrence, dates’ substance abuse was found to be a risk factor OR = 3.60; IC 95% (1.77–7.31). Indeed, dates’ drugs consumption was associated with participants’ victimization OR = 3.27; IC 95% (1.72–6.21) participants’ feelings of depression OR = 1.92; IC 95% (1.08–3.41), anxiety OR = 1.71; IC 95% (1.00–3.00), and the development of suicidal behaviours OR = 2.40; IC 95% (1.42–4.07). Conclusion The strong correlation between dates’ substance abuse, teen dating violence occurrence, participants’ feelings of depression, anxiety, and suicide commands urgent intervention for secondary school students in Fez city even though it conflicts with traditions and norms.