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Victimization and Relational Aggression in Adolescent Romantic Relationships: The Influence of Parental and Peer Behaviors, and Individual Adjustment

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Abstract

Consistent with the view that adolescent relationships are established in the context of important characteristics of their social networks, we examined the effects of adolescents’ experiences of parenting (psychological control and positive monitoring) and of peer aggression and victimization, on their self reports of dating victimization and aggression. We also examined the effects of individual differences in emotional and behavioral problems. We used questionnaire data from a population-based sample of youth 12–18 years old who were in dating relationships (n = 149). Parental monitoring emerged as a protective factor in reducing both dating victimization and relational aggression. Our findings also point to a significant transfer of aggression in peer relationships to relational aggression in dating relationships.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada

    Bonnie J. Leadbeater & Rachel Yeung

  2. School of Nursing, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Box 1700, Victoria, BC, Canada, V8W 2Y2

    Elizabeth M. Banister

  3. King’s University College at the University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada

    Wendy E. Ellis

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  1. Bonnie J. Leadbeater
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  2. Elizabeth M. Banister
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  3. Wendy E. Ellis
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  4. Rachel Yeung
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Correspondence to Elizabeth M. Banister.

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Leadbeater, B.J., Banister, E.M., Ellis, W.E. et al. Victimization and Relational Aggression in Adolescent Romantic Relationships: The Influence of Parental and Peer Behaviors, and Individual Adjustment. J Youth Adolescence 37, 359–372 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-007-9269-0

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