title: Northern European adolescent attitudes toward dating violence.
abstract: A focus group methodology was used to examine attitudes toward dating violence among 86 adolescents (aged 12-17) from four northern European countries (England, Sweden, Germany, and Belgium). Four superordinate themes were identified from thematic analyses: gender identities, television as the educator, perceived acceptability of dating violence, and the decision to seek help/tell someone. Although violence in relationships was generally not condoned, when violence was used by females, was unintended (despite its consequences), or was in retaliation for infidelity, violence was perceived as acceptable. Adolescents indicated that their views were stereotypical and based solely on stereotypical television portrayals of violence in relationships. Stereotypical beliefs and portrayals generate barriers for victimized males to seek help because of fear of embarrassment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Coventry University, England. e.bowen@coventry.ac.uk
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bowen
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Holdsworth
authors.forename: Eline
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leen
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sorbring
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Helsing
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jaans
authors.forename: Valère
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Awouters
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001530:Belgium; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012938:Social Perception; D013240:Stereotyping; D013548:Sweden; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology*