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Societal Factors and Teen Dating Violence: a Scoping Review

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This scoping review aims to identify quantitative research studies in the USA examining the association between societal factors and teen dating violence (TDV) victimization and/or perpetration.

Recent Findings

Nine articles examined a range of societal factors including gender norms and gender equality; cultural norms that support aggression towards others; income inequality; and laws and policies. Factors were measured in states, neighborhoods, schools, and classes. While findings varied, certain societal factors may be associated with TDV.

Summary

Findings highlight the relative lack of research examining associations between societal factors and TDV. This may be driven by limited data availability, complexity and cost of such research, and unclear definitions and measurement of societal factors. To decrease TDV and improve population-level adolescent health, more rigorous research is needed to inform the development of multilevel and structural interventions to address the outer layers of the social ecology.

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Data Availability

Not applicable.

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Funding

AA is partially supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (grant R00HD102567).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Child, Family, and Population Health Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Avanti Adhia

  2. Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Avanti Adhia & Ann E. Richey

  3. Center for Research On Ending Violence, School of Social Work, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA

    Sarah McMahon

  4. Center for Violence Prevention, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA

    Jeff R. Temple

  5. Department of Occupational Therapy, Sargent College, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA

    Emily F. Rothman

Authors
  1. Avanti Adhia
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  2. Ann E. Richey
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  3. Sarah McMahon
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  4. Jeff R. Temple
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  5. Emily F. Rothman
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Avanti Adhia and Ann E. Richey performed the literature search, conducted the analysis, and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript and read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Avanti Adhia.

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Adhia, A., Richey, A.E., McMahon, S. et al. Societal Factors and Teen Dating Violence: a Scoping Review. Curr Epidemiol Rep (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40471-023-00330-2

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