Exposure to family violence and dating violence: What relationship?

Abstract

This study analyses the relationship between exposure to family violence and dating violence. We used the Children’s Natural Family Environment Signalling Scale and the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale. Five hundred and five young people average aged 21.76 (SD = 2.15) participated in the study. The results revealed high rates of prevalence of dating violence, being psychological aggression the most frequent typology, in the perpetration and victimization (52.3% - 50.4%, respectively). There is evidence of high rates of violence (80.8%) in family context, emotional violence is highlighted (74.3%), followed by control (65.9%), coercion (34.5%) and, lastly, physical violence (16.4%). The association analyses have proved that there is a positive relationship between dating violence and exposure to family violence. We reiterate the need for the creation of measures of prevention and intervention in family violence, given its potential impact on intimate relational dynamics.