Phyllis Holditch Niolon

Persistence and Desistance of the Perpetration of Physical Aggression Across Relationships Findings From a National Study of Adolescents

This study examined the persistent perpetration of physical intimate partner violence (IPV) across relationships. Based on the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health, data were analyzed on 6,446 young adults, who reported on two recent relationships. Frequency and logistic regression analyses were used to examine the persistence of physical IPV perpetration across relationships and the predictors of persistent perpetration. Among individuals who perpetrated physical violence in their first relationship, 29.7% persisted in their perpetration in the second relationship and 70.3% desisted. Significant predictors of persistent physical IPV in the final multi-variate model were as follows: IPV frequency in the first relationship, age, living together versus apart in the subsequent relationship, respondent being better educated than the partner, and being an IPV victim in second relationship. The persistence of physical IPV across relationships was relatively low, with desistance being much more common. Factors specific to the second relationship were the strongest predictors of persistence.

Dating Matters™: Strategies to Promote Healthy Teen Relationships

Teen dating violence (TDV) is a preventable public health problem that has negative consequences for youth. Despite evidence that youth in urban communities with high crime and economic disadvantage may be at particularly high risk for TDV, little work has specifically addressed TDV in these communities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed a comprehensive approach to prevent TDV-Dating Matters™: Strategies to Promote Healthy Teen Relationships-that addresses gaps in research and practice. This Report from CDC describes the programmatic activities, implementation support, evaluation, and surveillance of the Dating Matters™ initiative, which will be implemented in four urban communities.

Prevalence of teen dating violence and co-occurring risk factors among middle school youth in high-risk urban communities

PURPOSE This study describes the lifetime prevalence of teen dating violence (TDV) perpetration in a sample of middle school students from high-risk urban communities and examines the relation between TDV and related cognitive and behavioral risk factors. METHODS Surveys were administered to 2,895 middle school students in four U.S. cities; 1,673 students (58%) reported having dated and were included in analyses. The sample was 52.3% female, 48.2% non-Hispanic black/African-American, 38.2% Hispanic, 4.8% non-Hispanic white, and 7.6% other race. Six types of TDV perpetration were assessed: threatening behaviors, verbal/emotional abuse, relational abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and stalking. RESULTS Of the students who had dated, 77% reported perpetrating verbal/emotional abuse, 32% reported perpetrating physical abuse, 20% reported threatening a partner, 15% reported perpetrating sexual abuse, 13% reported perpetrating relational abuse, and 6% reported stalking. Girls were more likely than boys to report perpetrating threatening behaviors, verbal/emotional abuse, and physical abuse, and boys were more likely to report perpetrating sexual abuse. Involvement in bullying positively predicted perpetration of TDV, albeit, in different ways for boys and girls. Other risk factors differed by sex. For instance, alcohol use and sex initiation predicted multiple forms of TDV perpetration for boys, whereas weapon carrying and emotional symptoms predicted several forms of TDV perpetration for girls. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of TDV was high in our sample. Important sex differences in rates of perpetration and risk factors emerged. Comprehensive prevention programs that target TDV and related risk factors, such as bullying and other risk factors, seem warranted.

A Descriptive Analysis of Transitional Housing Programs for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence in the United States

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 2005 focuses on safe and independent housing for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). The focus on housing in the latest version of VAWA suggests recognition by Congress that removing barriers and increasing access to safe housing is critical to our nations response to IPV, and that this type of systems-level response is necessary to reduce the link between IPV and subsequent homelessness. This study examines the current state of transitional housing programs (THPs) and discusses future program considerations, including the need for evaluation studies that consider the possible impact that transitional housing programs have on the rates of violence toward women and their children, and on womens ability to achieve economic stability after separating from their abusive partners.

The Need for Experimental Methodology in Intimate Partner Violence: Finding Programs That Effectively Prevent IPV

The lack of rigorous evaluations of intimate partner violence (IPV) programs has severely limited our knowledge about what works. However, IPV programs can be rigorously evaluated through randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted ethically and safely. This article provides an example of how a RCT to test an IPV preventive intervention—the Enhanced Nurse Family Partnership Study (ENFPS)—was successfully implemented by a partnership of researchers and practitioners. The article concludes with some recommendations, arrived at by the researchers and practitioners on the ENFPS team, for achieving a successful collaboration thought to be essential in executing a field experiment.

Taking Stock of Behavioral Measures of Adolescent Dating Violence

The past 2 decades have witnessed an increase in dating violence awareness and research. As the field evolves, it is critical to examine the definition and measurement of adolescent dating violence. This article summarizes the behavioral measures of adolescent dating violence used in the field. Based on a review of the literature and federally funded studies, we identified 48 different measures. The most commonly used measures were the Conflict Tactics Scale–2, the Safe Dates Scale, and the Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationship Inventory, which all examine aspects of psychological, physical, and sexual violence. Researchers also adapted or created their own measures. This article concludes with a discussion of developments for consideration as the field moves forward.

Relationship characteristics associated with teen dating violence perpetration

ABSTRACT Teen dating violence (TDV) is unstable across dating relationships, suggesting that characteristics of the relationship could be related to TDV. Few empirical studies have examined these links. This study examined associations between relationship characteristics and TDV perpetration among teens and sex differences in those associations. Relationship characteristics examined include tactics used to manipulate partners, ways of responding to relationship problems, relationship duration, exclusivity of the relationship, age difference between partners, and history of sexual intercourse with partner. Data were drawn from 667 teens in a current relationship (62.5% female and 81.4% White) enrolled in the 11th or 12th grade in 14 public schools in a rural U.S. state. Bivariate and multivariable regression analyses examined proposed associations. A total of 30.1% and 8.2% of teens reported controlling and physical TDV perpetration, respectively. In multivariable models, frequent use of manipulation tactics increased risk for controlling or physical TDV perpetration. Teens dating a partner 2 or more years younger were at significantly increased risk for both controlling and physical perpetration. A significant interaction emerged between sex and exit or neglect accommodation for physical TDV. Characteristics of a current dating relationship play an important role in determining risk for controlling and physical TDV perpetration.

Predicting adolescent dating violence perpetration: role of exposure to intimate partner violence and parenting practices

INTRODUCTION Exposure to adult intimate partner violence (IPV) places youth at risk for a range of outcomes, including perpetration of adolescent dating violence (ADV). However, there is variability in the effect of IPV exposure, as many youth who are exposed to IPV do not go on to exhibit problems. Thus, research is needed to examine contextual factors, such as parenting practices, to more fully explain heterogeneity in outcomes and better predict ADV perpetration. The current research draws from a multisite study to investigate the predictive power of IPV exposure and parenting practices on subsequent ADV perpetration. METHODS Participants included 417 adolescents (48.7% female) drawn from middle schools in high-risk, urban communities. IPV exposure, two types of parenting practices (positive parenting/involvement and parental knowledge of their childs dating), and five types of ADV perpetration (threatening behaviors, verbal/emotional abuse, relational abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse) were assessed at baseline (2012) and approximately 5 months later (2013) via adolescent report. Analyses (conducted in 2015) used a structural equation modeling approach. RESULTS Structural models indicated that IPV exposure was positively related only to relational abuse at follow-up. Further, adolescents who reported parents having less knowledge of dating partners were more likely to report perpetrating two types of ADV (physical and verbal/emotional abuse) at follow-up. Analyses did not demonstrate any significant interaction effects. CONCLUSIONS Results fill a critical gap in understanding of important targets to prevent ADV in middle school and highlight the important role that parents may play in ADV prevention.

An innovative approach to serving the needs of IPV survivors: description of a CDC-Funded study examining the Volunteers of America Home Free rent assistance program.

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to describe a CDC-funded study examining the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Volunteers of America Home Free program, an innovative program that offers survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) permanent housing rent assistance coupled with client-centered advocacy. We briefly discuss the challenges and barriers faced by women who try to separate from abusive partners and who have an immediate need for housing, describe the innovative approach to service provision adopted by the Volunteers of America Home Free program in Portland, Oregon, and describe the CDC-funded cooperative agreement to compare the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of this approach with the usual housing services available to women fleeing abusive relationships.

Gender Inequality and Gender-Based Violence: Extensions to Adolescent Dating Violence, ,

Abstract In this chapter, we explore the relationship between gender inequality, or unequal treatment based on gender, and gender-based violence (GBV), drawing extensions to adolescent dating violence (ADV). Using a global perspective, we start with definitions, examining the way in which gender inequality has been conceptualized and operationalized at the outermost level of the social ecology: the societal level. We then move to the inner levels of the social ecology to discuss gender-role attitudes, a way in which gender inequality may manifest at the individual and relationship levels. Following this broad overview, we examine the evidence on the link between both gender inequality and gender-role attitudes and GBV, including ADV. Gender inequality and the gender-role attitudes and norms that support it (and vice versa) appear to play a central role in GBV, although research is just beginning to explore the role in the development and maintenance of ADV specifically. Research on gender-role inequality, gender-role attitudes, and ADV indicates that the relationships among these constructs are complicated and potentially bidirectional, highlighting the need for future work in this area. Although research in this area is nascent with much yet to be learned, it is clear from the broader field of violence prevention that interventions aiming to reduce both gender inequality and ADV could be strengthened by multicomponent strategies, targeting both males and females, and at all levels of the social ecology.