Patterns of dating violence across adolescence.

Adolescent dating violence (ADV) is a prevalent social and health problem associated with a number of adolescent risk behaviors and negative outcomes. The purpose of this study was to identify patterns of dating violence across adolescence. We used cross-case analysis to analyze interviews with 88 young adults (men and women aged 18 to 21) who were involved in violent dating relationships as teens. We identified four patterns of dating violence throughout adolescence. We also identified two patterns for adolescents who had only one violent relationship based on the length of the relationship-contained ADV and prolonged ADV-and two patterns for those who had multiple violent relationships based on the level of violence severity-repetitive ADV and escalating ADV. Knowledge of these four patterns can be used to guide therapeutic interactions with teens and to develop pattern-specific prevention and intervention strategies.

Adolescent dating violence and Peplau's dimensions of the self.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent dating violence (ADV) is a significant public health problem. Despite an association between ADV and lowered self-esteem, little research has examined identity issues in persons who have experienced ADV. OBJECTIVES: To use Peplau's model of the dimensions of the self to describe identity concerns in those who experienced ADV. DESIGN: Verbatim comments that met Peplau's definitions of self-statements were extracted from the narratives of 50 young adults who had taken part in an ongoing qualitative study on ADV. The statements were coded into Peplau's dimensions using content analysis. RESULTS: 175 verbatim sentences were extracted from the narratives. The statements addressed 16 different personal characteristics, including strength, sociability, and aggressiveness. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals who have experienced ADV have a number of concerns related to self-concept. Recommendations are made regarding how these concerns may be addressed with investigative counseling, as described by Peplau.

A Meta-Summary of Qualitative Findings about Professional Services for Survivors of Sexual Violence.

Sexual violence occurs at alarming rates in children and adults. Survivors experience myriad negative health outcomes and legal problems, which place them in need of professional services. A meta-summary was conducted of 31 published qualitative studies on adults' responses to sexual violence, with a focus on survivors' use of professional services. Combined samples included 46 men, 984 women, and six couples who had experienced sexual violence at any point in their lives. Findings indicated that qualities of professional service providers and outcomes of professional services were perceived either positively or negatively (rather than neutrally) by survivors, regardless of the provider's professional discipline. Professionals who work with sexual violence survivors can use these findings to improve their practices.