title: Teens' Self-Efficacy to Deal with Dating Violence as Victim, Perpetrator or Bystander.
abstract: Multiple studies have demonstrated that adolescent dating violence is highly prevalent and associated with internalizing and externalizing problems. A number of prevention initiatives are being implemented in North-American high schools. Such initiatives do not only aim to raise awareness among potential victims and offenders but also among peer bystanders. Since teenagers mainly reach out to their peers when experiencing adversity, it is important to address adolescents' efficiency to deal with witnessing dating violence or with friends disclosing dating abuse, in addition to increasing ability to deal with experienced dating violence victimization or perpetration. The aim of this study is to explore adolescents' self-efficacy to deal with dating violence victimization and perpetration in their relationships and those of their peers. A paper-and-pencil questionnaire was completed by 259 14-18 years olds in Quebec, Canada. The data allows building insight into adolescents' confidence to reach out for help or to help others in a situation of dating violence victimization and perpetration. We also considered the impact of gender and dating victimization history. Results suggest that dating violence prevention can build on teens' self-efficacy to deal with dating violence and offer them tools to do so efficiently.
authors.affiliation: School of law, University of Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Tinneke
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Van Camp
authors.affiliation: Department of sexology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada.
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hébert
authors.affiliation: Department of sexology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada; Department of psychology, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guidi
authors.affiliation: School of psychology, Université Laval, Canada.
authors.forename: Francine
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lavoie
authors.affiliation: Department of sexology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blais
keywords: Self-efficacy; adolescents; bystander; dating violence; help-seeking