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

• Published in: Journal of adolescence (London, England.) Vol. 59; no. 1; pp. 79 - 89
• Main Authors: Reed, Lauren A, Tolman, Richard M, Ward, L. Monique
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2017; John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior - psychology; Adolescents; Bullying; Children; Crime Victims - psychology; Crime Victims - statistics & numerical data; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cyber dating abuse; Cybercrime; Dating violence; Digital media; Electronic aggression; Female; Gender; Humans; Intimate Partner Violence - psychology; Intimate Partner Violence - statistics & numerical data; Male; Pediatrics; Personal relationships; Secondary school students; Self Report; Sex Factors; Sexual coercion; Social Media; Social networks; Text Messaging - statistics & numerical data; Victimization; Youth; Dating violence; Gender; Cyber dating abuse; Social media; Electronic aggression
• ISSN: 0140-1971; 1095-9254
• DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2017.05.015

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.