A new study shows abuse in dating relationships is common among teenagers and is associated with other risky behaviours. The study also found the frequency of abuse by a partner is the same for boys and girls.

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Up to half of all adolescents report being physically assaulted by someone they are dating. A new study by doctors at Golisano Children's Hospital in Rochester, New York, looked at risk behaviours among adolescents to determine if there is an association between the behaviours and abuse.

Survey questions
Researchers looked at data from more than 4300 adolescents. The survey asked the participants if they had ever been insulted in public, sworn at, threatened with violence or had something thrown at them by someone they were dating.

The adolescents were also asked about their partner's involvement in substance use, antisocial behaviour, violent behaviour, suicidal behaviour or depressed mood.

Abuse in teen relationships is different to adult abuse
While abuse in adult relationships often involves a female victim, the study shows that is not true with abuse in dating relationships among teenagers.

This study found 21 percent of the boys and 22 percent of the girls report being abused. In the females, a history of abuse was associated with substance use, antisocial behaviour, violent behaviour, depressed mood and suicidal behaviour. In the males, abuse was associated with antisocial behaviour, violent behaviour and depressed mood.

Certain risk behaviours contribute to abuse
Researchers say this study shows a history of abuse by an intimate partner is associated with a variety of risk behaviours in both the girls and boys. They say clinical and community interventions to address this problem should focus on the needs of the victims of the abuse. – (HealthScout News)
 

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