Citation

Lachapelle M, Fernet M, Hébert M, Guyon R. J. Aggression Maltreat. Trauma 2022; 31(5): 589-608.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10926771.2021.1994499

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The use of technology as a communication tool among youth has fostered opportunities for harassment, stalking or pressuring in romantic relationships. There is a paucity of studies exploring the links between childhood victimization experiences and cyber dating violence (DV) and how youth positively adapt to such experiences. This mixed methods study documents the effects of individual, familial, and social risks associated with cyber DV while exploring strenghts and protective factors in victimized youth's narratives. A sample of 332 heterosexual youths and emerging adults (mean age 19.9 years) completed a survey exploring romantic and sexual trajectories and 16 participants reporting cyber victimization participated in semi-structured interviews.

RESULTS indicated that younger age, exposure to interparental violence, neglect, and a lower level of perceived support from a friend predicted cyber DV, whereas gender, emotional violence, sexual abuse, and perceived parental support were not significant predicting factors. When facing cyber DV and relational difficulties, participants expressed strengths illustrating their resilience: self-regulatory strength (e.g., considering a breakup as an opportunity for self-care), meaning making strength (e.g., thinking that a partner may not have been the right person), and interpersonal strength (e.g., being thankful for support provided by a trusted person). Fostering social support and multiple strengths of youth constitute promising avenues for effective cyber DV interventions.

Language: en

Keywords

child maltreatment; cyber victimization; Dating violence; resilience; risk factors; romantic relationship; social support; youth