Teen Dating Relationships and Aggression

This qualitative exploratory study uses discussion groups with 24 Canadian teens aged 14 to 19 to cast new light on aggression in teen dating relationships. Data collected confirm that violence is present in numerous ways and that the teens' explanatory models still attribute part of the responsibility to victims. The teens suggested individual, couple, and social factors, such as the influence of peers and pornography. Findings indicate that future research should study forms of abuse specific to teens and that prevention programs should address nonconsensual violence as well as the consensual use of violence in sexual relationships.