Predictors of dating violence among Chinese adolescents: the role of gender-role beliefs and justification of violence

J Interpers Violence. 2012 Apr;27(6):1066-89. doi: 10.1177/0886260511424497. Epub 2012 Feb 10.

Abstract

In Chinese societies, violence among adolescent dating partners remains a largely ignored and invisible phenomenon. The goal of this study is to examine the relationships among gender-role beliefs, attitudes justifying dating violence, and the experiences of dating-violence perpetration and victimization among Chinese adolescents. This study has used self-reporting measures to collect data from a probability sample of 976 adolescents (mean age = 15.9) in three Chinese societies: Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Research results reveal a high prevalence of dating violence (including physical violence, sexual violence, and controlling behavior) among Chinese adolescents with dating experience: the perpetration rate is 27.3% and the victimization rate is 39%. Study results demonstrate that adolescents who endorse traditional gender-role beliefs tend to view dating violence as acceptable behavior. Boys' endorsement of traditional gender roles, boys' attitudes justifying boy-on-girl violence, and boys' attitudes against girl-on-boy violence predict boys' actual sexual-violence behavior. Moreover, boys' attitudes justifying boy-on-girl dating violence is the strongest predictor of boys' perpetration of physical and sexual dating violence. This study also shows that boys' hostility is a significant predictor of boys' controlling behavior. Programs for preventing dating violence should include components designed to challenge traditional gender-role beliefs and attitudes justifying dating violence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / ethnology*
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
  • Attitude*
  • China / epidemiology
  • Courtship
  • Crime Victims / statistics & numerical data
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Gender Identity*
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Male
  • Regression Analysis
  • Schools
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Taiwan / epidemiology
  • Violence / ethnology*
  • Violence / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult