The Influence of Parenting Style on Teen Dating Violence: First Evidence from Germany

• In Event: Conceptualizing Associations Between Familial Background and Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

First romantic relationships among teenagers are supposed to be a pleasant experience. However, studies, mainly from the US, have consistently stated that a substantial share of adolescents experience teen dating violence. Consequences of abusive romantic relationships during adolescence can be depression, health complains and an increased risk for substance abuse. Beside other risk factors, like low socioeconomic status or poor academic achievement, poor parenting and inner familiar violence is often discussed as mayor predictors for teen dating violence. In Germany, however, evidence regarding the prevalence and risk factors of abusive romantic relationships during adolescence is still lacking so far. The aims of this paper are therefore twofold. Firstly, prevalence of teen dating violence based on a representative sample of 9th graders (N=9.512) from the German federal state Lower Saxony are presented. Secondly, it is investigated to what extent good and poor parenting can contribute to predict the risk of teen dating violence. Implications for prevention and further research will be discussed.

Authors

• Marie Christine Bergmann, Criminological Research Institute of Lower Saxony

• Dirk Baier, Criminological Research Institute of Lower Saxony