Violence in Dating Relationship of Young Adults

 

Monika Jain¹, Priyanka Kacker²*

 

¹TYBA, Department of Psychology, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat. 

²Lecturer, Department of Psychology, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat.

 

 

ABSTRACT:

 

INTRODUCTION:

Dating is a form of courtship consisting of social activities done by two people with the aim of each assessing the other's suitability as a partner in an intimate relationship or as a spouse. Dating relationship means frequent, intimate associations primarily characterized by the expectation of affectional involvement. (Michigan Laws, 1927) This term does not include a casual relationship or an ordinary fraternization between 2 individuals in a business or social context. Dating violence is any intentional sexual, physical or psychological attack on one partner by the other in a dating relationship (Health Canada, 1995). Dating violence is when one person purposely hurts or scares someone they are dating. Dating violence happens to people of all races, cultures, incomes, and education levels. Females of age group 16-24 are more vulnerable to intimate partner violence than any other age group at a rate almost triple the national average (U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2001). Many psychologists have tried to analyze romantic love. One of them was by Karen Horney in which he said that romantic love is the overestimation of love leads to disillusionment; the desire to possess the partner results in the partner wanting to escape; and the taboos against sex result in non-fulfillment. (Horney K., 1967).It has been researched that 1 in 33 men and 1 in 6 women have experienced an attempted or completed rape against a partner (National Institute of Justice and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1998).

It can happen whether you are young or old, and in heterosexual or same-sex relationships Dating violence includes majorly three types of violence in relationships. Firstly, physical abuses like hitting, shoving, kicking, biting, or throwing things. Secondly, emotional abuse like yelling, name-calling, bullying, embarrassing, keeping you away from your friends, saying you deserve the abuse, or giving gifts to "make up" for the abuse. Lastly, sexual abuse like forcing you to do something sexual (such as kissing or touching) or doing something sexual when you cannot agree to it. Dating violence often starts with emotional abuse. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Dating violence can cause serious harm to your body and your emotions. People facing violence tend to become emotionally weaker and face more challenges in dealing with problems. Dating violence not only weakens the person but also develops some physical problems sometimes to an extent of headache and cardiac problems.

 

Different Forms of Dating Violence:

There are four forms of dating violence: intimate (patriarchal) terrorism, common couple violence, violent resistance and mutual violent control. Intimate (Patriarchal) Terrorism may be defined as the systematic use of violence and other abusive behavior to control a partner. It is researched that men are more likely than women to use this form of violence, but its use by either men or women is rare. Common Couple Violence is defined by as an intermittent use of violence against a partner with the intent to control the immediate situation. It is seen that this is the most common form of dating violence and that men and women use it to equal degrees. Violent Resistance occurs when violence is used against partners who are themselves violent and controlling. It is most commonly used against a partner who is using intimate terrorism. Mutual Violent Control identifies violent exchanges in which both partners are violent and controlling. It is the least common type of violence of the four. (Minister of Health, 2006)

 

Theories which support dating violence are:

When trying to explain the occurrence of adult dating violence, three main theories are generally used: Social Learning Theory, Attachment Theory, and Feminist Theory. Social Learning Theory which has major role to play in development of an adult’s mindset about society. It has basically three core concepts. Firstly is the idea that people can learn through observation. Next is the idea that internal mental states are an essential part of the developmental process. Finally, this theory recognizes that just because something has been learned, it does not mean that it will result in a change in behavior. Through observational learning individual learn social interaction skills. Thus, a person can learn violent intimate relationship behaviors through personal experience or through witnessing violent relationships. Violent behavior can be learnt as a result of imitating the people in society with whom the adults are more attached usually their parents and friends. Thus social learning theory plays a significant role in causing violent behavior.  The second theory is the Attachment Theory which suggests that individuals form working models of interpersonal relationships based on their interactions with their significant caregivers. Securely attached children are more likely to engage in mutually supportive adult intimate relationships, whereas individuals with inconsistent parenting experiences are more likely to form dysfunctional relationships, which may involve violence. Feminist Theory views relationship violence as being gender specific, with the male as perpetrator and female as victim. In this model, female violence is driven by self-defense responses and tends to be less harmful to the victim. This theory posits that relationship violence exists because of the traditional male-female power structure that places males in a dominant role (Wekerle and Wolfe, 1999).

 

Causes of violence in dating relationship:

It is a complex interaction of certain factors that creates the circumstances under which an individual acts out violently against a dating partner. Individual Factors: Through research it has been found out that individuals who hold attitudes that support the use of violence to settle conflicts or interpersonal problems are likely to perpetrate violence. Relationship Factors: The most important factor is related to power. Dating violence has been viewed as an attempt to control a partner — that is, to exercise power over the other. Moreover, it is about being able to exercise power when and where an individual deems appropriate. Thus, it is not the absolute level of power an individual has in a relationship that is important; rather, it is dissatisfaction with the relative levels of power. Contextual Factors: Violence often occurs in the context of stress within the relationship, or when there is significant stress in the life of one or both partners. Peer-related Factors: Peers can influence the use of violence within a relationship and determine whether people stay with violent partners. Social Factors: Ultimately, the causes of dating violence are also rooted in our society and its norms and value systems. Gender roles are particularly important.

 

There are many researches done on dating violence and causes behind dating violence but the reason why people continue their relationship is still a question. Researches in dating violence are done majorly with adolescence and that too not in Indian culture.

 

Table no. 1

Physical Violence	Sexual Violence	Emotional Violence
1.       My partner refuses to socialize with me. 2.       My partner shows aggressive behavior towards me. 3.       My partner slaps me. 4.       My partner is overprotective. 5.       My partner monitors my                 telephone calls, e-mails or contacts.	1.       My partner uses an object or fingers on body parts in a sexual way against my will. 2.       My partner force to have penetration of any kind (oral, vaginal, or anal). 3.       My partner insists on risky sexual practices. 4.       My partner forces me to have sex with him/her. 5.       I am forced to watch pornography.	1.       My partner insults me in front of others. 2.       My partner compares me with himself or others. 3.       My partner makes fun of my shortcomings. 4.       My partner shows interest in other girls or boys. 5.       My partner keeps an eye on whatever I do.

 

So to see whether dating violence exist in Indian culture in early adulthood this research was conducted and this research also focus on reason to continue the relationship though facing violence. The violence faced in dating relationship causes serious psychological and emotional problems to the sufferer. Through this research the researcher wanted to know if there is violence in a relationship then why do young adults still continue their relationship.

 

METHODOLOGY:

Objectives:

1. To find out the percentage of people in dating relationship and facing violence.

2. The reason to continue the relationship though they are facing violence.

 

Sample:

Young adults of age group between 19-24 years who were in dating relationship were selected for the study.  Total 150 students were selected. For the collection of data random sampling method was used.

Based on following inclusion criteria sample collection was done:

Young adults of age group between 19-24 years were selected; and those individuals who were in a relationship were the part of the sample. 

 

Diagnostic tool:

The questionnaire of Violence in Dating Relationship (VDR) was constructed as a tool. The sample was selected through randomization. There were majorly 3 dimensions showing violence in dating relationship. Firstly, physical violence which had 15 questions, emotional violence had questions relating to both positive and negative dimension which in all consisted of 29 questions and third dimension of sexual violence had 8 questions. Remaining 11 questions were related to reasons of withstanding the relationship though facing violence. For the scoring purpose 5 point rating scale was used. The options in the rating scale were: never, rarely, sometimes, often and always. According to the positive and negative dimensions 1 point was given to never and 5 point to always. In negative dimension higher is the score more is the violence and for positive dimension more is the score less is the violence in their relationship. For the questions relating to cause of continuing the relationship though facing violence the scoring was done according to the statement. For example if the statement is I can rely on my partner and can share all my problems in this case ‘never’ is given 1 point and 5 point is given to ‘always’. After constructing the questionnaire it was sent to expertise for validation. The reliability of the test was found to be .8 which is very high. Few of the questions under the 3 major categories of violence and reasons are listed in Table no. 1

 

Procedure:

The purpose of the research was to study percentage of college students in dating relationship and facing violence and cause of continuing the relationship though facing violence. For the collection of data a questionnaire was developed consists of 63 items. The subjects were given following instructions” This is a questionnaire which consists of questions regarding violence in dating and relationships. You are supposed to put tick mark on the most appropriate response for each item. There is no right or wrong answers. Kindly answer all the items. If you have any queries feel free to ask. Your data will be kept confidential.” Questionnaires were given to experts for face validity. For the collection of data only those students were taken who were in a dating relationship. The students were taken of both the gender as a sample. For the collection of data random sampling method was used. After collection of data analysis was done using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences).

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

The purpose of the research was to find out the percentage of young adults in dating relationship and facing violence. The cause of continuing the relationship though facing violence was another aim of the research. Through the research conducted on 155 college students it was seen that there is high percentage of students facing violence in dating relationship. This research finding is similar to another research which showed there is high level of dating violence in college students (Chan K. L., Straus, Brownridge D.A., Tiwari A., and Leung W.C.; 2008). The violence is faced by both males and females among age group of 19 to 24 years. When violence is categorized in emotional, sexual and physical violence it was found that there is high percentage of students facing physical violence than emotional and sexual violence. Under the 3 dimensions total score of students falling in emotional violence is 6744 whereas the score for physical violence is 4904 and score for sexual violence is 2473.When these scores were converted into percentage it was found that 66.40% of students face physical violence which is comparatively higher than emotional violence which is 36% and sexual violence which is 18.96%. Through the result it was found that higher number of students face physical and emotional violence compared to sexual violence. There was a research finding that showed that 77% of female and 67% of male high school students endorse some form of sexual coercion, including unwanted kissing, hugging, genital contact, and sexual intercourse. (Jackson M., Cram F. and Seymour F.W., 2000). Through the research finding of both the research it could also be said that they are interrelated as violent relationship faced in adolescence is also transmitted to early adulthood which can be said through the research conducted by Forshee V.A.  et al in 1996.There was another research which stated that there are 50% of youth reporting both dating violence and rape also reported attempting suicide, compared to 12.5% of non-abused girls and 5.4% of non-abused boys. (Ackard D.M., Minneapolis, MN, and Sztainer D.N.; 2002).

 

When cause of continuing the violent relationship was found there were majorly few options which were selected by the students. The most selected options are as follows ‘my partner gives me emotional support whenever I need it.’ This sentence was most opted by those who are facing violent relationship. This shows that due to more of emotional attachment and support from partner students continue their relationship and this holds them in relationship because of which they avoid breaking their relationship. The next majorly opted option was ‘I like my partner’s look (physical appearance)’ which was second major cause of continuing the relationship. This shows that physical attraction towards their partner is another reason to continue the relationship though facing violence in relationship. Another reason was found to be ‘my partner gives me more importance than anyone else.’ This shows that getting importance from partner holds them in a relationship. The other major causes which are found are “My partner gives me more importance than anyone else, I feel lonely without my partner and my partner is in a relationship with me just to maintain his or her status.” Through these major reasons which have been shown by students showing violence in dating relationship reflects that students continue their relationship more due to emotional attachment as shown in majorly prior statements than physical or sexual attachment towards their partner. When correlation was found out between the 3 dimensions it showed that there is high correlation among them. When emotional violence was correlated with physical and sexual violence correlation was 0.868 and 0.713 respectively. Similarly when physical violence was correlated with sexual violence it showed.765. Thus there is high correlation among them. When mean was calculated for emotional, physical and sexual violence the score was found out 43.51, 31.64 and 15.95 respectively. Therefore it could be said that in average emotional violence is more compared to physical and sexual violence.

 

REFERENCES:

1.       Ackard D. M., Minneapolis, MN, and Sztainer D.N., Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, “Date Violence and Date Rape Among Adolescents: Associations with Disordered Eating Behaviors and Psychological Health,” Child Abuse and Neglect, 26 455-473, 2002

2.       Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), Atlanta, 2008

3.       Chan K. L., Straus M.A., Brownridge D.A., Tiwari A., Leung W.C. J. Midwifery Women Health. 2008; 53(6):529-537

4.       Forshee V.A. et Al, Health Education Research, 11(3), 275-286, (1996).

5.       Horney K., 1967,”Feminine Psychology,” W.W. Norton and Company, Inc., New, York

6.       Jackson M., Cram F. and Seymour F.W., Journal of Family Violence, 2000

7.       Michigan Laws, 1927

8.       Minister of Health Canada, 2006 and 1995, National Clearinghouse on Family Violence, Family Violence Prevention Unit, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9

9.       National Institute of Justice and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Prevalence, Incidence and Consequences of Violence against Women Survey, 1998.

10.     U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Special Report: Intimate Partner Violence and Age of Victim, 1993-99 (Oct.2001, rev. 11/28/01).

11.     Wekerle, C., and Wolfe, D. A. (1999), Dating violence in mid-adolescence: Theory, significance and emerging prevention initiatives. Clinical Psychology Review 19, 435– 456