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Prevalence of teen dating violence associated with health risks

More than 20% of female students and 10% of male students experience some form of teen dating violence, according to findings from the 2013 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

Data also suggest there may be different health risks related to the type of violence experienced, according to the biennially implemented CDC-developed survey.

Kevin J. Vagi, PhD, from the division of violence prevention at the CDC, and colleagues examined physical and sexual teen dating violence with a series of questions to create a four- and two-level combined national estimate. The sample consisted of a nationally representative sample of 9,900 United States high school students.

The prevalence of teen dating violence was 6.6% for physical only, 8% for sexual only, 6.4% for both, and 20.9% for any teen dating violence (95% CI, 19%-23%) among 75% of the female students who reported dating in the 12 months prior to the survey.

Among 72.8% of male students who dated during the previous 12 months, prevalence was 4.1% for physical only, 2.9% for sexual only, 3.3% for both, and 10.4% (95% CI, 9%-11.7%) for any form of teen dating violence.

Female students who reported teen dating violence only were also more likely to:

• seriously consider attempting suicide;
• make a suicide plan;
• attempt suicide;
• get in a physical fight;
• carry a weapon;
• be electronically bullied; and
• report current alcohol use and binge drinking.

Male students who reported sexual teen dating violence only were more likely to experience the same health risks, in addition to having sex with four or more people, and to be currently sexually active, the researchers wrote.

The researchers suggest that future studies examine the frequency of physical and sexual teen dating violence and the impact the higher frequency has on negative health outcomes. – by Samantha Costa

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.