Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Physical Abuse in a College Setting: A Study of Perceptions and Participation in Abusive Dating Relationships

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Family Violence Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study explored the relationships between college students’ self-identification as recipients and/or perpetrators of abuse in their dating relationships and abusive behaviors reported. A cross-sectional examination of 1,530 undergraduate students was conducted. Results indicated that one in four college students were involved in a physically abusive dating relationship (involving at least two acts of physically violent behavior), and that over 85% of them failed to self-identify as ever having received and/or perpetrated any act of physical abuse. College students involved in abusive dating relationships were more likely than those not in abusive dating relationships to be in a relationship of a longer duration, to have been in a previous abusive dating relationship, and to be more accepting, in general, of physical abuse as a means of conflict resolution.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Archer, J., & Graham-Kevan, N. (2003). Do beliefs about aggression predict physical aggression to partners? Aggressive Behavior, 29, 41–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Banyard, V. L., & Cross, C. (2008). Consequences of teen dating violence: understanding intervening variables in ecological context. Violence Against Women, 14, 998–1013.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beyers, J. M., Leonard, J. M., Mays, V. K., & Rosen, L. A. (2000). Gender differences in the perception of courtship abuse. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 15, 451–466.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bryant, S. A., & Spencer, G. A. (2003). University students’ attitudes about attributing blame in domestic violence. Journal of Family Violence, 18, 369–376.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carr, J. L., & VanDeusen, K. M. (2002). The relationship between family of origin violence and dating violence in college men. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 17, 630–646.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2002). Youth risk behavior surveillance–United States–2001. Washington: Department of Health and Human Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cousins, A. J., & Gangestad, S. W. (2007). Perceived threats of female infidelity, male proprietariness, and violence in college dating couples. Violence and Victims, 22, 651–668.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Deal, J. E., & Wampler, K. S. (1986). Dating violence: the primacy of previous experience. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 3, 457–471.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeKeseredy, W. S., & Saunders, D. G. (1997). The meanings and motives for women’s use of violence in Canadian college dating relationships: results from a national survey. Sociological Spectrum, 17, 199–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eaton, D. K., Davis, K. S., Barios, L., Brener, N. D., & Noonan, R. K. (2007). Associations of dating violence victimization with lifetime participation, co-occurrence, and early initiation of risk behaviors among U.S. high school students. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 22, 585–602.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eisikovits, Z., Goldblatt, H., & Winstok, Z. (1999). Partner accounts of intimate violence: towards a theoretical model. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Human Services, 80, 606–619.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fiebert, M. S., & Gonzalez, D. M. (1997). College women who initiate assaults on their male partners and the reasons offered for such behavior. Psychological Reports, 80, 583–590.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Follingstad, D. R., Wright, S., Lloyd, S., & Sebastian, J. A. (1991). Sex differences in motivations and effects in dating violence. Family Relations, 40, 51–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forke, C. M., Myers, R. K., Catallozzi, M., & Schwarz, D. F. (2008). Relationship violence among female and male college undergraduate students. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 162, 634–641.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hettrich, E. L., & O’Leary, K. D. (2007). Females’ reasons for their physical aggression in dating relationships. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 22, 1131–1143.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • James, W. H., West, C., Deters, K. E., & Armijo, E. (2000). Youth dating violence. Adolescence, 35, 455–465.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, J. M., & Ferraro, K. J. (1988). Courtship violence: survey vs. empathic understandings of abusive conduct. Studies in Symbolic Interaction, 9, 175–186.

    Google Scholar 

  • Katz, J., Kuffel, S. W., & Coblentz, A. (2002). Are there gender differences in sustaining dating violence? An examination of frequency, severity, and relationship satisfaction. Journal of Family Violence, 17, 247–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaura, S. A., & Lohman, B. J. (2007). Dating violence victimization, relationship satisfaction, mental health problems, and acceptability of violence: a comparison of men and women. Journal of Family Violence, 22, 367–381.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, S. F., & Fremouw, W. (2001). Dating violence: a critical review of the literature. Clinical Psychology Review, 21, 105–127.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd, S. A. (1991). The darkside of courtship: violence and sexual exploitation. Family Relations, 40, 14–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luthra, R., & Gidycz, C. A. (2006). Dating violence among college men and women: evaluation of a theoretical model. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 21, 717–731.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Makepeace, J. M. (1981). Courtship violence among college students. Family Relations, 30, 97–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marcus, R. F. (2004). Dating partners’ responses to simulated dating conflict: violence chronicity, expectations, and emotional quality of relationship. Genetic, Social, and General Psychology Monographs, 130, 163–188.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marcus, R. F., & Swett, B. (2002). Violence and intimacy in close relationships. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 17, 570–586.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, L. L., & Rose, P. (1990). Premarital violence: the impact of family of origin violence, stress, and reciprocity. Violence and Victims, 5, 51–64.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McKinney, K. (1986a). Measures of verbal, physical, and sexual dating violence by gender. Free Inquiry in Creative Sociology, 14, 55–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKinney, K. (1986b). Perceptions of courtship violence: gender difference and involvement. Free Inquiry in Creative Sociology, 14, 61–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, L. M. (1999). Self-identification of participation in abusive dating relationships, abusive behaviors reported, and self-esteem in college students. Unpublished doctoral dissertation data. University of Maryland College Park.

  • Nabors, E. L., Dietz, T. L., & Jasinski, J. L. (2006). Domestic violence beliefs and perceptions among college students. Violence and Victims, 21, 779–795.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Perry, A. R., & Fromuth, M. E. (2005). Courtship violence using couple data. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 20, 1078–1095.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roscoe, B. (1985). Courtship violence: acceptable forms and situations. College Student Journal, 19, 389–393.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, D. G. (1986). When battered women use violence: husband-abuse or self-defense? Violence and Victims, 1, 47–60.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shook, N. J., Gerrity, D. A., Jurich, J., & Segrist, A. E. (2000). Courtship violence among college students: a comparison of verbally and physically abusive couples. Journal of Family Violence, 15, 1–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slep, A. M., Cascardi, M., Avery-Leaf, S., & O’Leary, K. D. (2001). Two new measures of attitudes about the acceptability of teen dating aggression. Psychological Assessment, 13, 306–318.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stets, J. E., & Pirog-Good, M. A. (1989). Patterns of physical and sexual abuse for men and women in dating relationships: a descriptive analysis. Journal of Family Violence, 4, 63–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M. A. (2004). Prevalence of violence against dating partners by male and female university students worldwide. Violence Against Women, 10, 790–811.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M. A., Gelles, R. J., & Steinmetz, S. K. (1980). Behind closed doors: Violence in the American family. New York: Anchor/Doubleday.

    Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M. A., Hamby, S. L., Boney-McCoy, S., & Sugarman, D. B. (1995). The revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2): Development and preliminary psychometric data. Paper presented at the 1995 annual meeting of the National Council on Family Relations, Portland, OR.

  • Worden, A. P., & Carlson, B. E. (2005). Attitudes and beliefs about domestic violence: results of a public opinion survey: beliefs about causes. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 20, 1219–1243.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yllo, K. (1988). Political and methodological debates in wife abuse research. In K. Yllo & M. Bograd (Eds.), Feminist perspectives on wife abuse. Newbury Park: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laura M. Miller.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Miller, L.M. Physical Abuse in a College Setting: A Study of Perceptions and Participation in Abusive Dating Relationships. J Fam Viol 26, 71–80 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-010-9344-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-010-9344-2

Keywords

Navigation