SELF-EFFICACY, COMMUNITY VIOLENCE, AND ADOLESCENT DATING VIOLENCE

Abstract Researchers have discovered a number of risk factors associated with adolescent dating violence; these include child maltreatment and high levels of conflict in teen dating relationships. This study examined relationships among adolescent dating violence, family violence, community violence, dating history, academic history, and various forms of self-efficacy among 306 high school and university students (age 16 to 19 years). Results showed that psychological, physical, and sexual dating violence were common occurrences among these students, that both males and females admitted perpetrating dating violence, and that dating violence was related to involvement in community violence. Young women in high school who were victims of any form of dating violence demonstrated lower levels of dating self-efficacy (i.e., less confidence in their ability to secure and maintain dating relationships and to protect themselves from dating violence) and those who were victims of sexual dating violence had lower levels of physical selfefficacy. Young men in high school who had perpetrated psychological dating violence had lower academic self-efficacy. Implications for intervention and prevention programs are discussed