Predicting dating violence victimization and perpetration among middle and high school students in a rural southern community

Dating violence victimization and perpetration among young people in the rural South have been significantly understudied, despite evidence showing higher rates of dating violence in rural communities generally and in the southern U.S. states. This article reports the results of predictive models of dating violence victimization and perpetration among a convenience sample of middle and high school students in a rural South Carolina community. Logistic regression analyses showed that female victimization was predicted by knowing a female victim, substance use, attitudes towards violence, and grade level in school. Male victimization was predicted by knowing a male perpetrator, substance use, attitudes towards violence, and the acceptability of violence-related behaviors in the family. Female perpetration was predicted by knowing a male perpetrator, substance use, and attitudes towards violence while male perpetration was predicted by juvenile justice involvement, attitudes towards violence, and the acceptability of violence-related behaviors in dating and family relationships. Implications for further research and prevention efforts are discussed.