Measuring sex differences in violence victimization and perpetration within date and same-sex peer relationships

This study examines sex differences in the patterns of repeated perpetration and victimization of physical violence and psychological aggression within dating relationships and same-sex peer relationships. Data were obtained from the Youth Violence Survey: Linkages among Different Forms of Violence, conducted in 2004, and administered to all public school students enrolled in grades 7, 9, 11 and 12 (N = 4,131) in a high-risk school district. Analyses of adolescents who dated in the past year (n = 2,888) show that girls are significantly more likely than boys to report physical violence and psychological aggression perpetration within dating relationships. However, boys are significantly more likely than girls to report physically injuring a date. Boys are also significantly more likely than girls to report physical violence victimization and perpetration within same-sex peer relationships. Implications and directions for future research are discussed
Author: 
Swahn,M.H.
Simon,T.R.
Arias,I.
Bossarte,R.M.
Notes: 
DA
Reprint Status: 
NOT IN FILE
Start Page: 
1120
End Page: 
1138
Volume: 
23
Issue: 
8
Abstract: 
In 2004, 4,131 students from a high-risk school district were assessed on dating and peer physical violence and psychological aggression. The objective of the study was to determine if boys' and girls' experiences of interpersonal violence differ by gender and grade level. Students completed an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire that asked about dating and same-sex peer violence victimization that occurred in the past 12 months. Results showed that several sex differences do occur in victimization and perpetration of physical violence in both relationship contexts. Females reported a higher incidence of reported physical violence perpetration within a dating context and boys reported more physical violence in same-sex peer relationships. Boys were more likely to inflict injury in both types of relationships. Experiences of interpersonal violence for boys and girls varied by age.
Topic Areas: 
Adolescent/High School, Male-Female Relations, Perpetration
Reference Type: 
JOUR
Reference ID: 
2547
Publication Date: 
2008/08