Conflict in adolescent dating relationships: a study of factors involved

BACKGROUND: Dating violence is a relevant current social and public health problem, not only due to adolescents exposure to risk of physical and mental injury, but also because it's at this age that romantic relationships begin with the possibility of these patterns of interaction to be perpetuated throughout life. The aim of this study is to characterize behaviours of violence and to identify the factors of conflict in adolescent dating relationships. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Transversal and correlational study, with a non-probabilistic sample of 243 mostly Portuguese adolescents, 56.0% female (mean age = 16.29 years; SD = 1.02), 71.2% living in rural areas and who attended between the 10th and 12th year at school. A socio-demographic questionnaire and on the contextual characteristics of dating was applied as well as a validated and adapted version for the Portuguese population of the Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory. RESULTS: Of the adolescents, 91.7% live with their parents and the vast majority is dating or has dated. The victimization conflict behaviours superseded those of perpetration and the boys showed more conflict strategies (of the self and the other) compared to girls, while girls and older boys had demonstrated more non-abusive strategies of the self. The conflict behaviours were significant in adolescents who initiated their sexual activity earlier and non-abusive strategies when dating couples or friends talk about sex. CONCLUSIONS: The results justify the need to integrate the topic of dating violence in adolescent education, using active methods with effective participation of everyone involved in the process.