title: Parental responses to youths' reports of teen dating violence: Recommendations from parents and youth.
abstract: Parental responses to teen dating violence (TDV) can influence children's behaviors. This qualitative study presents findings from focus groups analyzing parental responses to TDV. Thirty-one parents and 55 teens, recruited from local family service agencies located in southwestern part of the country, participated in separate focus groups that presented dating violence scenarios. Focus group results indicated that parents and teens both urge communication that included parents asking questions, educating the teen, sharing their personal experiences, and giving teens advice. Parental and teens' comments also focused on the importance of protecting teens, providing support for teens, refraining from overreacting and offering counseling services. Parents, more than teens, stressed the importance of educating teens; teens, more than parents, stressed the importance of parents supporting and providing comfort to teens while refraining from overreacting and yelling. Implications for programming with parents and future research are included.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, 211 S. Cooper, Arlington, 76019, United States. Electronic address: beverlyblack@uta.edu.
authors.forename: Beverly
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Black
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Missouri, 729 Clark Hall, Columbia, MO, 65211, United States. Electronic address: preblek@missouri.edu.
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Preble
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D000066511:Intimate Partner Violence / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Dating violence; Parent; Parental response; Teen