Many American Teens are Either Aggressors or Victims of Abusive Dating Relations: Study
Study finds nearly one-in- every six American teens either commits violent acts or is a victim of an abusive dating relationship, according to a study.
Researchers from the University of Michigan Medical School survey found many boys and girls of pubescent age physically assault their partners and commit acts like punching, pulling hair, shoving and throwing things. Teens have equal chances of being an aggressor or a victim in dating relations and a majority of these abusive relations are linked to depression and intake of drugs and alcohol.
The study looked at data of youngsters aged between 14 and 20 who were admitted to emergency department between 2010 and 2013. Experts interviewed participants on emotional and physical abuse. One-in-every five girls reported being a victim or an aggressor in their romantic relationships within a year before the trial. One-in-every five boys also agreed to have victimized or abused their partner. Those who sought medical care for injuries and mental trauma were twice likely to report violence in dating relations.
Relationships in younger years help predict the nature romantic ties established in adulthood. Preventing dating violence among young couples can save them from physical and sexual brutality later.
"These data remind us that teen relationships are not immune to violence and should encourage providers to ask adolescent patients about this important issue," said Vijay Singh, study author and researcher at the department of emergency medicine and family medicine at the University of Michigan, in a press release.
"In addition, this could help us understand whom to target for screening and referral to, or development of, programs that could help them," he adds.
The study aims to empower teens and those who are repeatedly beaten up and abused by their spouses and partners to recognize and handle toxic relations.
More information is available online in the journal Annals of Emergency Medicine.
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