Page 163 - GHES-2-4

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Impact of dating violence on mental health

This study has several limitations. First, because the and perpetrators of psychological violence in dating
sample is non-probability-based, there may be biases, relationships. Older women in this group face a heightened
the most important being selection bias. Second, all data risk of perpetrating both physical and psychological dating
were obtained through self-report, which is susceptible to violence.
various biases, including social desirability. Finally, as this Educational level appears to be unrelated to dating
is a cross-sectional study, causal relationships cannot be violence victimization and perpetration, as does age for
established. men with opposite-sex partners and women with same-

5. Practical implications sex partners.
Although the results should be treated with caution 6. Conclusion
considering the limitations mentioned above, they allow Dating violence perpetration and victimization are
for the identification of risk profiles for dating violence. widespread phenomena. Although such violence occurs
The group at the highest risk for both victimization and across both genders and with opposite-sex and same-sex
perpetration of dating violence is men in relationships with partners, the type of partner and gender are distinguishing
women. In addition to being at greater risk of experiencing factors. This study’s results offer valuable insights for
psychological and physical dating violence, this group is designing policies, programs, and strategies aimed at
also likely to perpetrate psychological and physical violence preventing and addressing this form of violence.
against women, including severe physical violence. Men in
this group who hold more traditional gender role attitudes Acknowledgments
are at greater risk of perpetrating physical, psychological,
and sexual violence against women, as well as being victims The authors thank the people who answered the survey.
of physical and psychological violence. Conversely, men Funding
who internalize traits traditionally considered feminine,
such as being understanding, tender, warm, compassionate, None.
affectionate, sympathetic, or gentle, are at lower risk of
victimization and perpetration of dating violence. Conflict of interest
The risk of dating violence is slightly lower for same-sex The authors declare they have no competing interests.
partners than for men with opposite-sex partners. However, Author contributions
same-sex partners are more likely to experience sexual
violence, particularly threats of ending the relationship Conceptualization: M. Pilar Matud, María-José del Pino,
if they do not comply with sexual requests. Men with D. Estefanía Hernández-Lorenzo, Demelsa Fortes,
same-sex partners who hold more traditional gender role Ignacio Ibáñez
attitudes are at greater risk of being victims of sexual and Investigation: M. Pilar Matud, María-José del Pino, D.
physical violence, while those who internalize traditionally Estefanía Hernández-Lorenzo, Demelsa Fortes,
masculine traits, such as independence and agency, are Ignacio Ibáñez
at a higher risk of physical and psychological violence. In Methodology: M. Pilar Matud, Ignacio Ibáñez
addition, older men are more likely to perpetrate sexual Writing – original draft: M. Pilar Matud, María-José del
violence in dating relationships. Pino
Women with same-sex partners appear to be at a lower Writing – review & editing: M. Pilar Matud, María-José
risk of being surveilled by their partner or becoming del Pino, D. Estefanía Hernández-Lorenzo, Demelsa
victims of severe physical dating violence. Women Fortes, Ignacio Ibáñez
in this group, who internalize traits associated with Ethics approval and consent to participate
femininity, such as being understanding, tender, warm, The study was performed in accordance with the ethical
or compassionate, face a slightly higher risk of physical standards of the Declaration of Helsinki and its later
violence victimization and a decreased risk of perpetrating amendments. All participants provided verbal informed
psychological dating violence. In contrast, women with consent to participate in the study after being informed
same-sex partners who hold more traditional gender about the study’s aims. No names or any data identifying the
role attitudes show an increased risk of perpetrating participants were registered, and participants could cancel
psychological violence. their participation at any time. We obtained approval from
Women with opposite-sex partners who adhere to the Ethics Committee on Animal Research and Well-Being
traditional gender role attitudes are likely to be both victims of the University of La Laguna (study approval number

Volume 2 Issue 4 (2024) 14 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.3300