Plenty of studies have shown that individuals who reported more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were more likely to commit dating violence (DV) than those who reported fewer ACEs. However, the underlying mechanism of the relationship remains understudied. Given that an individual's self-esteem is associated with both ACEs and DV behavior, this study aimed to explore the mediating role of self-esteem in the ACE-DV relationship. Cross-sectional research was conducted using a survey sample of 319 university students (177 with ACEs, and 142 without ACEs) from different universities located in different regions in China. Nearly half of the participants (41.4%) perpetrated DV in the past year, and more than half of the participants (55.5%) experienced at least one type of ACEs. The results showed that the direct effects of cumulative ACE and three subdimensions of ACEs (i.e., child maltreatment, family dysfunction, and socio-community adversity) on DV perpetration were statistically significant. Moreover, self-esteem partially mediated the relationships between cumulative ACE, as well as two subdimensions (child maltreatment and socio-community adversity), and DV perpetration. Self-esteem did not mediate the relationship between family dysfunction and DV perpetration. These results implied that children who had more ACEs were more likely to develop lower self-esteem, which may increase the likelihood of perpetrating DV in adulthood. Considering the findings, the urgency to involve community-based organizations in identifying children at high risk and improve the mandatory reporting system of child maltreatment in China is discussed. Also, the importance of early intervention in self-esteem building among children with ACEs, and implications for curbing dating violence in the university setting are discussed.
This study examined whether employee stances of hostile attribution, perceived hostile climate, attitudes toward aggression, subjective norms, and perceived control affected workplace aggression and victimization in departments of social services. We also explored differences in workplace aggression and victimization in social services in Israel and compared departments of social services of mixed and nonmixed cities (Arabs and Jews). A sample of 470 social workers employed by social services in Israel completed self-report measures. We used regression analysis to explore levels of aggression and victimization in general and specifically within social services departments in both mixed and nonmixed cities. We also investigated the differences in workplace aggression and victimization between these departments. Stances related to both aggression and victimization were perceived control and perceived hostile climate. No statistically significant differences were found in aggression or victimization levels between mixed and nonmixed cities. However, the relationship between hostile climate and victimization was found to be weaker in mixed cities than in nonmixed cities, suggesting a more complex interaction of organizational climate in different urban contexts. This study shed light on similar stances between aggression and victimization and explicated the phenomenon of workplace aggression using two important aspects of aggression and victimization. Furthermore, the study revealed important differences in victimization patterns between mixed and nonmixed cities' social services departments, particularly regarding the role of hostile climate in these different settings.
Bystanders play a potentially important role in intervening in incidents of racism, but they often fail to act. Much research has focused on investigating facilitators and barriers to bystander behavior, but mainly in the context of sexual violence. There is a dearth of research in the context of racism, especially outside the English-speaking world. In this pilot study, we employed a qualitative approach to explore bystander facilitators and barriers in higher education students in Finland. Online participants (N = 649) read two vignettes depicting a racist incident and wrote open-ended answers on factors that would facilitate and prevent intervention. We constructed six main themes using an inductive thematic analysis: (i) Perceived self-efficacy to intervene; (ii) Justification and moral reasoning; (iii) Clarity of the situation; (iv) Responsibility and permission to act; (v) Social relationships, support, and presence of others; and (vi) Consequences and impacts of action. We discuss the results with a reference to theories and literature, as well as the unique context of Finland.
Image-based sexual abuse (IBSA), defined as the non-consensual creation, use, and/or distribution of sexually explicit photos, is an under-researched yet common form of violence against women. Victims of this form of violence are often blamed for the abuse they endure, which influences their likelihood to seek help and recover. While in-person sex work stigma is known to increase the likelihood of negative reactions to victims, it is unknown whether women who share their own sexual images online for money are viewed in similar ways. The current study used an experimental vignette design to understand the influence of the context of IBSA, specifically related to how the original image was produced, and gender, on individuals' attributions of blame to a female victim and male perpetrator of IBSA and their empathy for the victim, while controlling for rape myth endorsement. Results showed that participants placed more blame on the victim, less blame on the perpetrator, and displayed less empathy toward the victim when she took the explicit photo herself compared to a victim whose photo was taken by someone else. Moreover, participants blamed a perpetrator of IBSA less when he had paid for access to the explicit photo on a subscription-based website and displayed lower empathy for a victim of IBSA who earned a monetary reward for their explicit photo. On average, women reported more empathy for victims of IBSA compared to men, and individuals of all genders who endorsed rape myths to a greater degree placed more blame on victims of IBSA. This study is the first step in understanding the ways in which the context of image production affects the views of victims and perpetrators of IBSA and provides important information for prevention and education efforts.
Psychological, physical, and sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) is prevalent among college-aged emerging adults (aged 18-29 years). Aggressive and dark triad personality traits have been linked to an increased risk of IPV, yet this approach does not identify modifiable risk factors. This study extends current research on personality traits and IPV by testing modifiable factors, namely, emotion regulation and empathic concern, that may alter the association of dark triad traits with psychological, physical, and sexual IPV. College students (N = 554) in a dating relationship for more than 2 weeks completed an online survey. Participants self-identified as Black (22.9%), Latinx (40.6%), and White (34.8%); a majority identified as women (74.1%). Results showed that low empathic concern intensified the association between dark triad traits and psychological and physical IPV. Individuals relatively high on dark triad traits are thus more likely to engage in monitoring a partner, dictating their activities or appearance, or hitting them when they also exhibit low empathy. Emotion regulation also moderated the relationship between dark triad traits and psychological IPV, but not for physical or sexual IPV. Emotion regulation, however, was a significant correlate of physical IPV, suggesting this type of IPV may be related to both emotion dysregulation and intentional efforts to control a partner. In contrast, emotion regulation and dark triad traits were independently linked to sexual IPV, suggesting sexual IPV may be driven by different mechanisms such as opportunistic or exploitative tendencies, factors that are less influenced by empathy. Results emphasize targeting empathic concern and emotion regulation to reduce IPV risk among those high in dark triad traits.
Coercive control is a form of violence characterized by patterns of restrictive regulation, including through isolation, threats, psychological manipulation, economic abuse, technology-facilitated control, stalking, and physical and/or sexual violence. While literature has focused on the diverse forms of control imposed by perpetrators of this abuse, few studies have discussed the traumatic impact of coercive control on victim-survivors themselves. Using a theoretical thematic analysis, this study draws upon data from 15 qualitative questionnaires exploring the lived experiences of women as victim-survivors of coercive control in Australia. The first phase of analysis identified the diverse and interconnected methods of coercive control experienced by participants. The second phase found that victim-survivors who have been subjected to these patterns of harm can experience specific emotional trauma, shaped by processes of threat and restraint. This paper, therefore, proposes the concept of "coercive control trauma" to articulate ways in which coercive control in intimate relationships can contribute to the complex and often under-recognized psychological harm experienced by victim-survivors. The concept of coercive control trauma may provide victim-survivors with validation, insight, and an empowering sense of self-understanding during processes of recovery. It may also assist those who are supporting individuals recovering from coercive control by helping to further comprehend the experiences of victim-survivors, and to provide more appropriate forms of support.
It is well known that some youth are both victims and perpetrators of bullying. However, it remains unclear whether the victim-perpetrator overlap contains specific characteristics, such as bias. Using data from the United States Health Behavior among School-aged Children survey from 2009 to 2010 (N = 8,739), this study investigated the victim-perpetrator overlap for school bullying, with emphasis on assessing whether the perpetrators of biased (i.e., bias-motivated or prejudicial) bullying are also victims of biased bullying. The analyses employed predictive modeling using cross-sectional data and multinomial logistic regression to examine whether perpetrating biased bullying is associated with a higher risk of experiencing biased victimization than nonbiased victimization (and no victimization). It was then determined among which demographic subgroup of students, the biased bullying victim-perpetrator overlap is most prevalent. Results indicated evidence of a type-specific victim-perpetrator overlap for biased bullying. The biased bullying victim-perpetrator overlap was most prevalent among females, students whose families have financial difficulties, and students not born in the United States. These findings suggest that bullying perpetrators are not only at risk of being victims of bullying generally, but they are specifically more likely to be victims of the type of bullying they perpetrate. School programming to combat biased bullying should be designed with the understanding that there are some students in both the victim and perpetrator roles. Initiatives should focus on potential avenues for breaking the cycle of bias, especially among the group of students most likely to be involved.
Community studies documenting gender-based violence (GBV) experienced by trans and gender diverse (TGD) people often find differences in prevalence across TGD subgroups. In contrast, studies with university students tend to treat TGD students as a homogenous group, leaving differences across subgroups unknown. Using data from TGD Ontario university students, we examined the prevalence and impacts of GBV across the spectrum of nonbinary and gender queer, trans women and trans feminine (TWTF), and trans men and trans masculine (TMTM) students. Specifically, we explored the frequency of subtle and overt forms of GBV (trans environmental microaggressions, trans interpersonal microaggressions, victimization) and their relationship with psychological (positive mental health, psychological distress, perceived stress) and social (campus belonging) well-being among each subgroup. TMTM students reported experiencing both microaggression types significantly more frequently than TWTF; no other differences in prevalence were found. Consistent with minority stress theory, all but one statistically significant result suggested that experiences of GBV are associated with poorer outcomes. Specifically, GBV can negatively impact TGD students' well-being, although its impacts are not identical across TGD subgroups. The findings highlight the importance of considering TGD students as a heterogeneous group when examining GBV and its consequences. Implications for research, policy, practice, and the training of practitioners are offered.
Dating violence (DV) is a widespread problem that undermines the well-being of young adults. Consistent with social learning theory, exposure to interparental violence (IV) and childhood maltreatment have been identified as risk factors for DV perpetration and victimization. However, former research on these associations is mainly U.S.-based, cross-sectional, and focused on physical DV. To address these gaps in the literature, the aims of this study were twofold: first, to assess whether exposure to physical IV during childhood was associated with physical and psychological DV perpetration and victimization in young adulthood while controlling for childhood maltreatment; second, to determine whether the associations between IV and DV varied based on participants' sex, socioeconomic status, and antisociality. To investigate this, data from a longitudinal, multi-informant, dual-cohort study in the Netherlands (TRracking Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey) were used. Participants who self-reported their experiences of IV and whose romantic partners completed questionnaires on DV were included in the current sample (N = 522). Using hierarchical logistic regressions, results showed that IV exposure during childhood was not associated with DV perpetration or DV victimization during young adulthood. Further, this pattern of results did not vary as a function of sex, socioeconomic status, or antisociality. Overall, findings suggest that young adults in our sample demonstrate resilience against the intergenerational cycle of violence.

