Relational Dynamics Associated with Adolescent Dating Violence: The Roles of Rejection Sensitivity and Relational Insecurity

Abstract

The significant rates of dating violence among adolescents have prompted investigations into underlying relational processes that might increase the risk for perpetration and victimization. Two relational constructs that have potential significance for predicting adolescent dating violence are rejection sensitivity and relational insecurity. This study investigated the relationships among relational insecurity, rejection sensitivity, and dating violence perpetration and victimization in a sample of 176 adolescents. Results indicated that relational insecurity fully mediated the relationship between rejection sensitivity and dating violence perpetration, and that relational insecurity was directly related to dating violence victimization. Results suggest that adolescent dating violence prevention programs might need to address victimization and perpetration in different ways.

Keywords:

• adolescence
• dating violence
• rejection sensitivity
• relational insecurity

Notes

This study was supported in part by Contract No. 200–2001-00123 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.