Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

College Women’s Experiences of Dating Violence in Casual and Exclusive Relationships

  • Published:
American Journal of Criminal Justice Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Using a sample of female college students involved in a current dating relationship, we investigate the nature of violence in these intimate relationships to better understand the concept of violence mutuality. To do so we explore womens’ experiences with violence as both perpetrators and victims and examine the prevalence, chronicity, and severity of violence experienced by young women. We also examine whether there are differences in experiences of violence for women in casual versus exclusive dating relationships. Our findings suggest that when violence is present in a dating relationship it is likely to occur within a mutually violent relationship where women are both victims and perpetrators of violence. More importantly, within these mutually violent relationships, women reported being more likely to perpetrate violence at higher rates than they experience as victims. We find no notable differences in experiences with violence among those in casual versus exclusive relationships. The methodological limitations and policy implications of our findings are discussed.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen-Collinson, J. (2009). Intimate intrusions revisited: A case of intimate partner abuse and violations of the territories of the self. Qualitative Sociology Review, 5, 50–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bethke, T. M., & DeJoy, D. M. (1993). An experimental study of factors influencing the acceptability of intimate partner violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 8, 36–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Billingham, R. E. (1987). Courtship Violence: The patterns of conflict resolution strategies across seven levels of emotional commitment. Family Relations, 36, 283–289.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, J. C. (2002). Health consequences of intimate partner violence. Lancet, 359, 1331–1336.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cercone, J. J., Beach, S. R. H., & Arias, I. (2005). Gender symmetry in dating intimate partner violence: Does similar behavior imply similar constructs? Violence and Victims, 20, 207–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Champion, H., Foley, K. L., Durant, R. H., Hensberry, R., Altman, D., & Wolfson, M. (2004). Adolescent sexual victimization, use of alcohol and other substances, and other health risk behaviors. Journal of Adolescent Health, 35(4), 321–328.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coker, A. L., Davis, K. E., Arias, I., Desai, S., Sanderson, M., Brandt, H. M., et al. (2002). Physical and mental health effects of intimate partner violence for men and women. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 23, 260–268.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coker, A. L., McKeown, R. E., Sanderson, M., Davis, K. E., Valois, R. F., & Huebner, E. S. (2000). Severe intimate partner violence and quality of life among South Carolina high school students. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 19, 220–227.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dobash, R. P., & Dobash, R. E. (2004). Women’s Violence Against an Intimate Male partner: Working on a Puzzle. British Journal of Criminology, 44, 324–349.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ehrensaft, M. K., Cohen, P., Brown, J., Smailes, E., Chen, H., & Johnson, J. G. (2003). Intergenerational transmission of partner violence: A 20 year prospective study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71, 741–753.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erez, E. (1986). Intimacy, violence, and the police. Human Relations, 39, 265–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Follette, V. M., & Alexander, P. C. (1992). Intimate partner violence—current and historical correlates. Behavioral Assessment, 14, 39–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foshee, V. A. (1996). Gender differences in adolescent dating abuse: Prevalence, types, and injuries. Health Education Research, 11, 275–286.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foshee, V. A., Bauman, K. B., Linder, F., Rice, J., & Wilcher, R. (2007). Typologies of adolescent intimate partner violence identifying typologies of adolescent intimate partner violence perpetration. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 22, 498–519.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foshee, V. A., Linder, G. F., Bauman, K. E., Langwick, S. A., Arriaga, X. B., & Heath, J. L. (1996). The Safe Dates Project: Theoretical basis, evaluation design, and selected baseline findings. American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 12, 39–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fox, K. A., Gover, A. R., & Kaukinen, C. (2009). The effects of low self-control and childhood maltreatment on stalking victimization among men and women. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 34, 181–197.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gover, A. R. (2004). Risky lifestyles and dating violence: A theoretical test of violent victimization. Journal of Criminal Justice, 32, 171–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gover, A. R., Kaukinen, C., & Fox, K. A. (2008). The relationship between violence in the family of origin and intimate partner violence among college students. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 23, 1667–1693.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gray, H. M., & Foshee, V. (1997). Adolescent intimate partner violence: Differences between one-sided and mutually violent profiles. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 12, 126–141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haberyan, A., & Kibler, J. (2008). Physical violence in rural and urban midwestern adolescent dating relationships. Psychology Journal, 5, 158–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harned, M. S. (2001). Abused women or abused men? An examination of the context and outcomes of intimate partner violence. Violence and Victims, 16, 269–285.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harned, M. S. (2002). A multivariate analysis of risk markers for intimate partner violence victimization. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 17, 1179–1197.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henton, J., Cate, R., Koval, J., Lloyd, S., & Christopher, S. (1983). Romance and violence in dating relationships. Journal of Family Issues, 4, 467–482.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herrera, V. M., Wiersma, J. D., & Cleveland, H. H. (2008). The influence of individual and partner characteristics on the perpetration of intimate partner Violence in young adult relationships. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 37, 284–296.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hindelang, M., Hirschi, T., & Weis, J. (1981). Measuring Delinquency. Beverly Hills: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jain, S., Buka, S. L., Subramanian, S. V., & Molnar, B. E. (2010). Neighborhood predictors of dating violence victimization and perpetration in young adulthood: A multilevel study. American Journal of Public Health, 9, 1737–1744.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, M. P. (2006). Conflict and control gender symmetry and asymmetry in domestic violence. Violence Against Women, 12, 1003–1018.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Katz, J., Kuffel, S. W., & Coblentz, A. (2002). Are their gender differences in sustaining intimate partner 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. (2009). Does Acceptability of Violence Impact the Relationship Between Satisfaction, Victimization, and Commitment Levels in Emerging Adult Dating Relationships? Journal of Family Violence, 24, 349–359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kemp, A., Green, B. L., Hovanitz, C., & Rawlings, E. I. (1995). Incidence and correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder in battered women: Shelter and community samples. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 10, 43–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Linder, J. R., Crick, N. R., & Collins, W. A. (2002). Relational aggression and victimization in young adults’ romantic relationships: Associations with perceptions of parent, peer, and romantic relationship quality. Social Development, 11, 69–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Makepeace, J. M. (1986). Gender differences in courtship violence victimization. Family Relations, 35, 383–388.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Makepeace, J. M. (1989). Dating, living together, and courtship violence. In M. A. Pirog-Good & J. E. Stets (Eds.), Violence in dating relationships: Emerging Social Issues (pp. 94–107). New York: Praeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mulford, C., & Giordano, P. C., (2008). Teen dating violence: A closer look at adolescent romantic relationships. National Institute of Justice Journal. NCJ Number 224089.

  • Pedersen, P., & Thomas, C. D. (1992). Prevalence and correlates of intimate partner violence in a Canadian sample. Canadian Journal of Behavioral Science, 24, 490–501.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rhatigan, D. L., & Axsom, D. K. (2006). Using the investment model to understand battered women’s commitment to abusive relationships. Journal of Family Violence, 21, 153–162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riggs, D. S., O’Leary, K. D., & Breslin, F. C. (1990). Multiple correlates of physical aggression in dating couples. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 5, 61–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roscoe, B., & Benaske, N. (1985). Courtship violence experienced by abused wives: Similarities in patterns of abuse. Family Relations, 34, 419–424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rusbult, C. E., & Martz, J. M. (1995). Remaining in an abusive relationship: An investment model analysis of nonvoluntary dependence. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 21, 558–571.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, J., Steffensmeier, D. J., & Feldmeyer, B. (2009). Assessing trends in women’s violence via data triangulation: Arrests, convictions, incarcerations, and victim reports. Social Problems, 56, 494–525.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silverman, J. G., Raj, A., Mucci, L. A., & Hathaway, J. E. (2001). Intimate partner violence against adolescent girls and associated substance use, unhealthy weight control, sexual risk behavior, pregnancy, and suicidality. Journal of the American Medical Association, 286, 572–579.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stets, J. E., & Pirog-Good, M. A. (1987). Violence in dating relationships. Social Psychology Quarterly, 50, 237–246.

    Article  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 

  • Stith, S., Jester, S., & Bird, G. (1992). A typology of college students who use violence in their dating relationships. Journal of College Student Development, 33, 411–421.

    Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M. A. (2007). Dominance and symmetry in partner violence by male and female university students in 32 nations. Children and Youth Services Review, 30, 252–275.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M. A. (2008). Dominance and symmetry in partner violence by male and female university students in 32 nations. Children and Youth Services Review, 30, 252–275.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M. A., Hamby, S. L., Boney-McCoy, S., & Sugarman, D. B. (1996). The Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2): Development and preliminary psychometric data. Journal of Family Issues, 17, 283–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M. A., & Ramirez, I. L. (2007). Gender symmetry in prevalence, severity, and chronicity of physical aggression against dating partners by University students in Mexico and USA. Aggressive Behavior, 33, 281–290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strube, M. J., & Barbour, L. S. (1983). The decision to leave an abusive relationship: Economic dependence and psychological commitment. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 45, 785–793.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sugarman, D., & Hotaling, G. (1989). Intimate partner violence: Prevalence, context, and risk markers. In M. Pirog-Good & J. Stets (Eds.), Violence and dating relationships: Emerging social issues (pp. 3–32). New York: Praeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tewksbury, R. (2007). Effects of sexual assaults on men: Physical, mental and sexual consequences. International Journal of Men’s Health, 6(1), 22–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wekerle, C., & Tanaka, C. (2010). Adolescent dating violence research and violence prevention: An opportunity to support health outcomes. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 19, 681–698.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitaker, D. J., Haileyesus, T., Swahn, M., & Saltzman, L. S. (2007). Differences in frequency of violence and reported injury between relationships with reciprocal and nonreciprocal intimate partner violence. American Journal of Public Health, 97, 941–947.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, S. L., & Frieze, I. H. (2005). Patterns of violent relationships, psychological distress, and marital satisfaction in a national sample of men and women. Sex Roles, 52, 771–784.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Windle, M., & Mrug, S. (2009). Cross-gender violence perpetration and victimization among early adolescents and associations with attitudes towards dating conflict. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 38, 429–439.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolitzky-Taylor, K. B., Ruggiero, K. J., Danielson, C. K., Resnick, H. S., Hanson, R. F., Smith, D. W., et al. (2008). Prevalence and correlates of dating violence in a national sample of Adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 47, 755–762.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, 1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO, 80918, USA

    Catherine Kaukinen

  2. School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado Denver, 1380 Lawrence Street, Suite 500, Denver, CO, 80204, USA

    Angela R. Gover

  3. Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 5073 Colvard Hall, Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA

    Jennifer L. Hartman

Authors
  1. Catherine Kaukinen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Angela R. Gover
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jennifer L. Hartman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Catherine Kaukinen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kaukinen, C., Gover, A.R. & Hartman, J.L. College Women’s Experiences of Dating Violence in Casual and Exclusive Relationships. Am J Crim Just 37, 146–162 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12103-011-9113-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12103-011-9113-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation