Introduction
Adolescent dating violence (ADV) is a critical issue affecting young people worldwide, characterized by physical, sexual, or psychological/emotional abuse in romantic relationships. The prevalence of ADV varies significantly, with psychological violence being more common than physical or sexual violence. Addressing this issue is crucial for preventing its adverse effects on mental and physical health.
The YourLife Project and Its Instrument
The YourLife Project is an international initiative focusing on young people's lifestyles and relationships. A new instrument was developed to assess ADV among adolescents in Spanish-speaking countries, namely Chile, Ecuador, and Spain. This tool evaluates psychological, physical, and sexual violence, both suffered and perpetrated, in person or virtually.
Research Findings
The study involved 1049 participants aged 13-18, and utilized exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to validate the instrument. The results identified two constructs: psychological violence and physical/sexual violence. The instrument demonstrated high reliability, with Cronbach’s alpha scores exceeding 0.85.
Implications for Practitioners
For practitioners, the instrument offers a reliable method to assess ADV in adolescents. It highlights the importance of considering relationship power imbalances as a potential indicator of ADV. The findings suggest that addressing substance use and bullying could be integral to preventing dating violence.
Encouraging Further Research
While the instrument is validated for Spanish-speaking countries, further research is needed to explore its applicability in different cultural contexts. Understanding the nuances of ADV across diverse populations can enhance prevention strategies and therapeutic interventions.
Conclusion
The ADV-YL tool is a promising instrument for identifying and addressing adolescent dating violence in Spanish-speaking countries. By integrating this tool into school settings, practitioners can better understand and mitigate the risks associated with ADV.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Assessing Adolescent Dating Violence in the YourLife Project: Proposal of an Instrument for Spanish-Speaking Countries.
