Cyber Dating Abuse Victimization Research Articles

Perception of cyberdating abuse from the victims’ perspective: effect of the type of suffered behavior and gender

Direct cyberaggression and cybercontrol, although both are manifestations of cyberdating abuse (CDA), seem to show different intentionality and impact. Furthermore, how young people perceive and experience CDA within heterosexual relationships varies by gender. However, no studies have examined whether the victims’ perception of offense and severity in an incident of CDA and the motivations that they attributed to their aggressor’s behavior vary by the type of victimization and gender. This research (N = 92 participants; 56.5% men and 43.5% women) was aimed at addressing this gap in the literature. Participants randomly completed an essay in which the CDA victimization (direct cyberaggression vs. cybercontrol) was manipulated and then responded to dependent measures. The results showed that (a) direct cyberaggression (vs. cybercontrol ) victimization was perceived as more offensive and severe; (b) women (vs. men) perceived greater offense and severity in a CDA victimization incident; (c) direct cyberaggression victimization was more frequently attributed to anger/frustration and online disinhibition, whereas cybercontrol victimization was attributed to personality and jealousy; and (d) a higher percentage of men indicated that their partners had perpetrated CDA against them because of the partners’ personality, whereas a higher percentage of women indicated that they had been victims of CDA because their partners experienced online disinhibition. We discussed the theoretical and practical contributions of our findings in the CDA field.

Cyber Dating Abuse: Conceptualization and Meta-analysis of Prevalence Rates

In this study, a systematic review was carried out with the aim of analyzing the terms, definitions, dimensions, and prevalence rates of cyber dating abuse (CDA). After the analysis, the term cyber dating abuse is considered as the most appropriate and a complete definition of the construct is provided, along with the related dimensions. In order to synthesize the victimization prevalence rates of CDA, a meta-analysis of 16 studies was also carried out, including 14,235 participants, based on most suitable and most commonly used instrument for CDA measurement. This meta-analysis indicated an estimated global prevalence of CDA victimization of 47%, the prevalence for the control dimension being 63%, while for direct psychological aggression it was 24%. The results hardly showed differences between male and female victimization, which would support gender symmetry. Despite some limitations, this bibliographic and meta-analytic review sheds light on the field of CDA.

The prevalence of cyber dating abuse among adolescents and emerging adults: A meta-analysis

Numerous scholars have investigated the prevalence of cyber dating abuse (CDA) and recognize that CDA is a widespread phenomenon among adolescents and emerging adults. However, to date, there is no consensus on the extent to which adolescents and emerging adults perpetrate and experience CDA. Based on the PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines, the present work performed separate meta-analyses for studies involving adolescents and emerging adults. This study aims to estimate the pooled prevalence of CDA perpetration and victimization and try to explain discrepancies in the literature. In all, 69 publications (25 adolescent and 44 emerging adult studies) on CDA were identified through a systematic literature search, including 74 independent samples with a total of 62,376 participants. The results showed that the overall prevalence of CDA perpetration was 24.0% and victimization was 36.9% among adolescents, while 44.6% and 43.4% for CDA perpetration and victimization among emerging adults. Moderator analyses revealed that higher rates of CDA perpetration and victimization were found for older adolescents. In addition, control dimension had higher rates of CDA perpetration and victimization compared to direct aggression dimension among emerging adults. Finally, the assessed lifetime prevalence of CDA perpetration was higher than that assessed in the last year in emerging adults, whereas unpublished studies showed a higher prevalence of CDA victimization compared to published studies in adolescents. In sum, current evidence contributes to a better understanding of the prevalence and influencing factors for CDA among adolescents and emerging adults. Prevention and intervention programs are urgently required to reduce CDA behaviors in adolescents and emerging adults.

A Deeper Understanding of the Relationship between Family of Origin and Young Adult Cyber Dating Abuse: A Mediation Model

Little research has examined factors that may mediate the experience of cyber dating abuse, a pervasive problem for young adults. This study explores how family of origin, insecure attachment, and emotion regulation are associated with cyber dating abuse perpetration and victimization. Undergraduate students ( N = 320) completed an online survey and Structural Equation Modeling was used to perform mediation analyses. Results indicated that the relationship between family environment and cyber dating abuse perpetration was mediated by emotion regulation and anxious attachment; whereas, anxious attachment was the only significant mediator for cyber dating abuse victimization. Avoidant attachment was not a significant mediator. Based on findings in this study, clinicians can capitalize on therapeutic interventions related to emotion regulation and anxious attachment to mitigate the effects of cyber dating abuse. Working with families or partners using a systemic therapy framework can be beneficial to those who may be experiencing cyber dating abuse.

Cyber Dating Abuse Victimization and Experiential Avoidance Among Chinese Female Adolescents: The Roles of Self-Compassion and Interpersonal Flexibility.

Cyber dating abuse victimization (CDAV) among female adolescents is common and harmful; however, little is known regarding how CDAV relates to victims' experiential avoidance in the Chinese context. Drawing from general strain theory, this cross-sectional study investigated possible differences in the relationships among CDAV, experiential avoidance, and self-compassion according to female adolescents' levels of interpersonal flexibility (low vs. high). A sample of 420 female adolescents aged 13 to 17 years (mean age = 15.78 years) who had been in intimate relationships during the past year participated in a voluntary and anonymous paper-and-pencil survey. Participants completed four self-reported measures on CDAV experience, self-compassion, experiential avoidance, and interpersonal flexibility. The findings indicated that nearly 49% of participants had experienced CDAV in the last year; CDAV exposure was directly linked with experiential avoidance and indirectly related to experiential avoidance through self-compassion. Moderation analyses showed that the negative associations between CDAV and experiential avoidance and self-compassion were only significant among participants with low interpersonal flexibility. These findings deepen the understanding of CDAV as a risk factor for reduced self-compassion and increased experiential avoidance in female adolescents. However, high interpersonal flexibility is a potential protector. This study has implications for the prevention of experiential avoidance among female adolescents exposed to CDAV and supports incorporating self-compassion and interpersonal flexibility skills to combat the negative outcomes of CDAV.

Gender Differences in the Associations Between Perceived Parenting Styles and Young Adults' Cyber Dating Abuse.

Existing literature indicates that parenting styles affect the development of cyber aggression in offspring differently, depending on the gender of children. The present study investigates whether mothers’ and fathers’ parenting styles show similar gender differences in their associations with a new form of dating violence, i.e., cyber dating abuse (CDA). The limited evidence on the issue focuses on the relation that each parenting style has with CDA perpetration, without considering CDA victimization and the joint effects of fathers’ and mothers’ parenting styles. The present study contributes to the research on gender differences in parenting by examining whether young adults’ perceptions of maternal and paternal parenting styles during childhood were independently and/or jointly related to their perpetrated and suffered CDA and whether these relations differed across young adults’ gender. In total, 351 young adults (50.7% men), age between 18 and 35 years and having a romantic relationship, completed online self-reports of the variables of interest that include a bidimensional measure of perpetrated/suffered CDA that assess aggression and control. Results showed that maternal authoritarian parenting was uniquely and positively associated to their children’s perpetration and victimization of cyber dating control, whereas maternal permissive parenting was uniquely and positively related to their children’s perpetration of cyber dating aggression and victimization of cyber dating control. For daughters, these associations were stronger when the father’s style was similar to the mother’s one or when a maternal authoritarian style combined with a paternal permissive style, thus indicating that the two parents’ parenting styles interact in relating to their daughters’ CDA.

In-Person and Cyber Dating Abuse: A Longitudinal Investigation.

While studies have identified associations between cyber and in-person dating abuse, most research has relied on cross-sectional data, limiting the ability to determine temporality. This study tested the longitudinal associations between cyber and physical and psychological forms of in-person dating abuse. Data were from an ongoing longitudinal study following a group of high school students originally recruited in Southeast Texas, U.S., into their young adulthood. Three waves of data (Waves 4-6) were used, with each wave collected one year apart. At Wave 4, participants' age ranged from 16 years to 20 years (Mean = 18.1 years, Median = 18.0 years, SD = .78). The analytical sample consisted of 879 adolescents/young adults (59% female, 41% male; 32% Hispanics, 28% Black, 29% White, and 11% other) who completed the dating abuse questions. Cross-lagged panel analysis showed that dating abuse victimization and perpetration were predictive of subsequent dating abuse of the same type. Cyber dating abuse perpetration was found to predict subsequent physical dating abuse perpetration as well as physical dating abuse victimization, but not vice versa. Further, cyber dating abuse perpetration predicted psychological dating abuse victimization, but not vice versa. Cyber dating abuse victimization was not significantly associated with either physical or psychological dating abuse temporally. Overall, findings suggest that cyber dating abuse perpetration may be a risk marker for both physical and psychological forms of in-person dating abuse. Interventions may benefit from targeting cyber dating abuse perpetration as means to prevent in-person dating abuse.

Does Cyber Dating Abuse Victimization Increase Depressive Symptoms or Vice Versa?

Although there is a robust positive association between cyber dating abuse victimization and depression, the direction of effects between them is unknown. Thus, we conducted two studies to investigate their temporal relationship. Study 1 (n = 198) examined whether cyber dating abuse victimization predicted depressive symptoms 6 weeks later, after controlling for the initial level of depressive symptoms. Study 2 (n = 264) used a two-wave, cross-lagged design to investigate possible bidirectional relations between cyber dating abuse victimization and depression. Participants in both studies were emerging adults in romantic relationships. They completed the Partner Cyber Abuse Questionnaire and depression subscale of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale. Many individuals (42.40% in Study 1 and 36.4% in Study 2) reported experiencing cyber abuse from their partners. Study 1 replicated the cross-sectional association previously found between cyber dating abuse victimization and depression and showed that cyber abuse predicted depression 6 weeks later. Study 2 replicated the findings of the first study and revealed that cyber dating abuse victimization was related to higher levels of depressive symptoms 12 weeks later, but the converse was not the case. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for future research and clinical practice.

Epidemiology of Cyber Dating Abuse Victimization in Adolescence and Its Relationship With Health-Related Quality of Life: A Longitudinal Study

There is currently no evidence of the relationship between cyber dating abuse (CDA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), especially from a longitudinal perspective. The objectives were: a) to analyze the point and period prevalence, incidence, and score changes over time of victimization by CDA; b) to compare HRQoL in the different categories of victims of CDA (nonvictims, new, ceased, intermittent, and stable victims). A three-wave longitudinal study was carried out over 13 months. The final sample was composed of adolescents who had a partner in the 6 months before the measurements: 341(W1), 357(W2), and 416(W3). The prevalence of CDA was 31.1% (W1), 32.8% (W2), and 18.1% (W3). The girls had higher prevalence in victimization by control than the boys in all waves. The period prevalence was 23% (20% for control, 15% for direct aggression) and the cumulative incidence was 15%. Stable victims had the lowest HRQoL scores.

Cyber and Offline Dating Abuse in a Portuguese Sample: Prevalence and Context of Abuse.

The increasing use of information and communication technologies (ICT) and networking has promoted the occurrence of different forms of victimization, specifically in terms of interpersonal interaction (e.g., cyberbullying or online risk-taking behaviour), which also includes cyber dating abuse (CDA). Some studies report that CDA is an extension of offline dating abuse (ODA). Because Portuguese studies in this area are scarce, this study aims to bridge this knowledge gap, seeking to investigate the extent and the context of CDA occurrence, and the relationship between CDA and all forms of ODA, i.e., physical, verbal–emotional and control. A convenience sample of 173 Portuguese adolescents and young adults was studied. This sample is mostly female (86.7%), has a mean (M) age of 25.36 years old and a standard deviation (SD) of 6.88 years of age. The results show that CDA and ODA among the Portuguese are very prevalent and related. Control (31.8 vs. 20.8%) and verbal–emotional ODA (26.7 vs. 20.2%) as well as control CDA (38.2 vs. 43.4%) were the most prevalent forms of abuse, either in terms of victimization or in terms of perpetration. The results also showed that CDA usually appears in a context of jealousy, also explaining control CDA and CDA direct aggression. A significant relationship between control CDA and CDA direct aggression and physical, verbal–emotional and control ODA was found. Experiencing control and verbal–emotional ODA are the main risk factors of control CDA victimization. This study allows to lay the groundwork for further research on dating victimization and perpetration through ICT, and has important practical implications at the level of Portuguese prevention strategies and intervention policies, thus emphasizing the role of the official authorities and the law itself.

Prevalence of teen dating violence and the associations with substance use and externalizing behaviors in Nicaraguan early adolescents

PurposeDespite being a significant public health problem, teen dating violence and related risk behaviors are yet to be examined in Nicaragua. This study aims to examine the prevalence of in-person dating violence and cyber dating abuse and to test the associations between teen dating violence and substance use (i.e. alcohol, cigarette, marijuana and e-cigarette) as well as externalizing behaviors.Design/methodology/approachSurvey responses were collected from a school-based sample of 1,799 Nicaraguan early adolescents (average age = 13.04 years).FindingsThe prevalence was 41% for in-person dating violence victimization, 39% for in-person dating violence perpetration, 30% for cyber dating abuse victimization and 26% for cyber dating abuse perpetration. The majority (56%) of the adolescents reported engagement in externalizing behaviors, but substance use prevalence was relatively low, ranging from 1–9% depending on the substance type. Multivariate regression analyses suggest that in-person dating violence perpetration was positively associated with all types of substance use and externalizing behaviors, while victimization was only associated with externalizing behaviors.Originality/valueDespite the descriptive nature, the study is the first to examine the prevalence of teen dating violence and its relationships with other risk behaviors in Nicaraguan adolescents and have important health implications.

Internet-Risk Classes of Adolescents, Dispositional Mindfulness and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Mediational Model.

This study was primarily aimed at identifying classes of adolescents in relation to their probability of endorsing several risks associated with the Internet (cyberbullying victimization and perpetration, cyberdating abuse victimization, and perpetration, sexting, and grooming). The second objective was to examine a mediational model linking dispositional mindfulness, risk perception, exposure to antisocial content in the media, Internet-risk classes of adolescents, and health-related quality of life (HRQL). The sample comprised 3,076 adolescents (46.2% boys, ages between 12 and 21). Latent class analyses indicated the existence of five classes related to the probability of endorsing Internet risks: No risk (60.75%), only cyberbullying (25.5%), cyberbullying and cyberdating abuse (6.7%), all risks (4.3%), and sexual risk (2.9%). Three mindfulness facets, namely, acting with awareness, nonreacting, and nonjudging, were associated with all the classes of risks. This association was partially explained by the degree of exposure to antisocial content in the media and risk perception. Finally, membership in the Internet-risk classes was associated with a lower HRQL.

Subjective well-being among victimized university students: comparison between cyber dating abuse and bullying victimization

PurposePrevious research has documented a negative association between subjective well-being and different forms of victimization. The present study aims to examine differences in well-being among university student victims of cyber dating abuse and bullying after controlling for acceptance of dating violence.Design/methodologyThis a cross-sectional study involving 1,657 Spanish university students (62.1% females, 37.1% males) using a quantitative approach.FindingsThe multiple regression analysis results showed that the university students who reported low bullying victimization and low acceptance of dating violence also reported higher emotional, social and psychological well-being, although the association between bullying and well-being was weak. No relationship was found between cyber dating abuse victimization and the well-being dimensions examined (emotional, social and psychological). Indeed, the participants not involved in any form of abuse and the cyber dating abuse victims presented the highest level of emotional, social and psychological well-being compared to the bullying victims and the combined victims.Practical implicationsPrevention and intervention programs need to specifically address bullying and cyber dating abusive in university, with a special focus on normative beliefs about both types of victimization and offering different sources of support to overcome negative consequences on mental health.Originality/valueThis paper analyzes the subjective well-being correlates simultaneously in victims of cyber dating abuse and bullying among university students without assuming that every form of victimization has the same mental health outcomes.

A Multi-Theoretical Perspective on Cyber Dating Abuse Victimization and Perpetration within Intimate Relationships: A Test of General Strain, Social Learning, and Self-Control Theories

ABSTRACTCyber abuse within intimate relationships is an increasingly common, but poorly understood, criminological issue. The present study applies a multi-theoretical lens to both cyber abuse perpetration and victimization in intimate relationships using a sample of college students. Results employing OLS regression show that cyber dating abuse victimization is associated with measures of general strain and social learning, but not self-control, in both full and reduced models. For cyber abuse perpetration, general strain, social learning, and self-control measures show significant associations in reduced models; however, in a full model only measures of strain retain significance.

The Impact of Contemporary Communication Technology on Undergraduate Students’ Dating Violence Episodes: An Exploration of Routine Activity Theory

The study was an empirical exploration of the kinds of communication technologies used in perpetrating different forms of Cyber Dating Abuse. The study was guided by Routine activities theory which states that the daily activities that individuals engage in make them susceptible to Cyber Dating Abuse. The study utilized data collected from 315 dating undergraduate students from selected universities in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The research design used in the study was a cross-sectional descriptive survey. The results showed that respondents mainly used smartphones to constantly exchange calls, text messages and instant messages on social media. Instant messaging on WhatsApp was most frequently used to perpetrate Cyber Dating Abuse. The findings indicate that the social interaction afforded by the use of various digital media made it possible for motivated offenders to encounter suitable victims (in this case their partners). An extended use of digital media by the victims increased their visibility and accessibility to the offender. A Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient r (313) = 0.20, p ≤ 0.001 established that the amount of time spent online was statistically and significantly positively associated with higher Cyber Dating Abuse victimization. Since digital media keeps evolving with chances that the youth will keep using it, this implies that Cyber Dating Abuse victimization is likely to persist. This calls for a need for universities to have critical discussions on how Cyber Dating Abuse, can be prevented to avoid its escalation which may lead to worse consequences on students’ psychological health and academic outcomes.

Cyber Dating Abuse Victimization: Links With Psychosocial Functioning

It is well established that technology can be used to enact intimate partner violence (IPV). However, less is known about how cyber dating abuse (CDA) is associated with psychosocial functioning, especially when accounting for other forms of frequently co-occurring IPV victimization. The current study sought to determine the unique associations of CDA victimization when controlling for multiple forms of in-person IPV victimization. Two hundred seventy-eight men and women between 17 and 25 years of age (M = 20.5, SD = 1.9) who were currently in an intimate relationship for at least 3 months participated in this study. Participants completed questionnaires about their IPV and CDA victimization, as well as a range of indices of psychosocial well-being. Experiencing CDA victimization was related to increased alcohol use for both men and women, and increased fear of partner for women, even after controlling for in-person IPV. For depression, perceived stress, relationship satisfaction, quality of life, social support, and post-traumatic stress, CDA victimization did not predict levels above in-person IPV victimization. Although these results suggest some unique associations between CDA victimization and aspects of psychosocial well-being that require further attention, they also highlight that CDA often occurs within a broader pattern of abuse that includes in-person IPV. These results suggest that the need for prevention and treatment for relationships that involve in-person abuse is still most salient, and that a narrow focus on CDA may limit the utility of prevention and treatment efforts. Further work is needed to integrate research on in-person and CDA victimization, rather than to create a new field of research and practice based solely on CDA.

Cross-sectional and temporal associations between cyber dating abuse victimization and mental health and substance use outcomes

The purpose of this study was to investigate the cross-sectional and temporal associations between cyber dating abuse victimization (CDAV) and mental health (i.e., anxiety, PTSD, and depression), and substance use (i.e., alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana and hard drugs). We used data from the 5th and 6th waves of an ongoing longitudinal study of ethnically diverse adolescents from seven public high schools in Texas, U.S. Participants were 641 adolescents (63.3% female) with a mean age of 19.1 years (SD = .79) at Wave 5. Analyses suggested that while CDAV was associated with mental health and substance use cross-sectionally, when examining over time, it was only associated with past year hard drug and past month marijuana use. Although long-term mental health effects of CDAV did not emerge in the current study, we identified a temporal link to marijuana and hard drugs, highlighting the need for prevention efforts to incorporate messages about substance use.

Adolescent cyber dating abuse victimization and its associations with substance use, and sexual behaviors

• This study is one of the first to investigate the associations between cyber dating abuse victimization and risk behaviors.

Cyber Dating Abuse Victimization Among Secondary School Students From a Lifestyle-Routine Activities Theory Perspective

Controlling one's romantic partner through digital media is a form of cyber dating abuse. To design effective educational campaigns, a deeper understanding of how some young people become victim of this type of abuse within their romantic relationships is warranted. This study is the first to adopt a lifestyle-routine activities theory perspective toward online romantic partner monitoring, by looking at whether secondary school students' risky digital lifestyle and their digital media use are linked to a higher chance of being controlled by a romantic partner, taking into account gender, age, and the length of the romantic relationship. The data of 466 secondary school students (71.0% girls, n = 331) between 16 and 22 years old ( M = 17.99 years; SD = 0.92) who were in a romantic relationship are analyzed. Linear regression analysis suggests that engagement in online risk behavior, the length of the romantic relationship, engagement in sexting with the romantic partner, and the amount of social networking site use were significantly linked to victimization of digital controlling behavior. The results are important to practitioners, as they indicate that messages about safe Internet use should be incorporated in prevention and educational campaigns with regard to cyber dating abuse. Suggestions for future research are discussed.

Cyber dating abuse among teens using school-based health centers.

To estimate the prevalence of cyber dating abuse among youth aged 14 to 19 years seeking care at school-based health centers and associations with other forms of adolescent relationship abuse (ARA), sexual violence, and reproductive and sexual health indicators. A cross-sectional survey was conducted during the 2012-2013 school year (participant n = 1008). Associations between cyber dating abuse and study outcomes were assessed via logistic regression models for clustered survey data. Past 3-month cyber dating abuse was reported by 41.4% of this clinic-based sample. More female than male participants reported cyber dating abuse victimization (44.6% vs 31.0%). Compared with no exposure, low- ("a few times") and high-frequency ("once or twice a month" or more) cyber dating abuse were significantly associated with physical or sexual ARA (low: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8-4.4; high: aOR 5.4, 95% CI 4.0-7.5) and nonpartner sexual assault (low: aOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3-5.5; high: aOR 4.1, 95% CI 2.8-5.9). Analysis with female participants found an association between cyber dating abuse exposure and contraceptive nonuse (low: aOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.7; high: aOR 4.1, 95% CI 2.0-8.4) and reproductive coercion (low: aOR 3.0, 95% CI 1.4-6.2; high: aOR 5.7, 95% CI 2.8-11.6). Cyber dating abuse is common and associated with ARA and sexual assault in an adolescent clinic-based sample. The associations of cyber dating abuse with sexual behavior and pregnancy risk behaviors suggest a need to integrate ARA education and harm reduction counseling into sexual health assessments in clinical settings.