The Mediating Role of Trauma Symptoms in the Association between Past and Future Teen Dating Violence Victimization

Caitlin Rancher, Ernest N. Jouriles, David Rosenfield, Jeff R. Temple, Renee McDonald

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

We examined whether the frequency of recent physical and sexual teen dating violence (TDV) victimization is positively associated with trauma symptom clusters (re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal), and whether these symptom clusters, in turn, are positively associated with the frequency of later TDV victimization. Participants were recruited primarily from truancy courts, and the sample consisted of 108 (47% female) 14-to-17-year-olds. Participants completed three assessments, spaced three months apart. Results indicated that the frequency of recent TDV victimization related positively to all three trauma symptom clusters. Re-experiencing symptoms mediated the relation between recent TDV victimization and TDV victimization six months later, even after controlling for exposure to community and interparental violence and demographic variables. The findings suggest that the trauma symptom clusters may differentially contribute to risk of future TDV victimization. Further research examining the cognitive and emotional processes involved in re-experiencing trauma symptoms will likely enhance our understanding of risk factors for TDV re-victimization.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)475-485
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Abnormal Child Psychology
Volume47
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 15 2019

Keywords

  • Re-victimization
  • Teen dating violence
  • Trauma
  • Victimization

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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