DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/PFN3-KT64
Defense Date
2020
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Terri Sullivan
Abstract
Teenage dating violence (TDV) is prevalent and associated with an array of psychosocial and health problems. Thus, numerous studies have focused on the identification of risk and protective factors for TDV. Child maltreatment has been consistently identified as a risk factor for TDV victimization and perpetration. However, potential underlying mechanisms that may partially explain the relations between child maltreatment and TDV victimization and perpetration are not well understood. The present study explored indirect relations between child maltreatment and TDV victimization and perpetration via trauma symptoms, and examined whether internal and external developmental assets moderated relations between (a) child maltreatment and trauma symptoms, and (b) trauma symptoms and TDV victimization and perpetration. Data were collected from 135 dating African American adolescents (57% female) who resided in high-burden neighborhoods in a midsized city in the Southeastern United States. Findings indicated that child maltreatment was associated with higher frequencies of TDV victimization and perpetration via trauma symptoms. However, contrary to expectations, composite measures of internal and external developmental assets did attenuate relations between: (a) child maltreatment and trauma symptoms, or (b) trauma symptoms and dating violence. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
7-13-2020