Gender matters: Experiences and consequences of digital dating abuse victimization in adolescent dating relationships

Lauren A. Reed, Richard M. Tolman, L. Monique Ward

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

148 Scopus citations

Abstract

Digital dating abuse (DDA) behaviors include the use of digital media to monitor, control, threaten, harass, pressure, or coerce a dating partner. In this study, 703 high school students reported on the frequency of DDA victimization, whether they were upset by these incidents, and how they responded. Results suggest that although both girls and boys experienced DDA at similar rates of frequency (with the exception of sexual coercion), girls reported that they were more upset by these behaviors. Girls also expressed more negative emotional responses to DDA victimization than boys. Although DDA is potentially harmful for all youth, gender matters. These findings suggest that the experience and consequences of DDA may be particularly detrimental for girls.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)79-89
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Adolescence
Volume59
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cyber dating abuse
  • Dating violence
  • Electronic aggression
  • Gender
  • Social media

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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