Adolescent and Young Adults’ Event-Level Positive Relationship Feelings and Behaviors Associated With Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the temporal associations between feelings of emotional connectedness, jealousy, pro-relationship behaviors, and intimate partner violence (IPV) within adolescent and young adult romantic relationships. A cohort of late adolescent females (N = 144), aged 16 to 19, in a dating relationship with physical or psychological IPV, were recruited from public locations and a pediatric emergency department. Participants completed a daily Web-based survey for 4 months on partner-specific feelings of emotional connectedness (i.e., communication, trust, commitment, emotional security); emotional safety; jealousy; pro-relationship behaviors (i.e., had fun together, partner showed appreciation, partner did something that made her feel loved, gave/received a gift); sexual behavior, and experienced and use of psychological and physical IPV. The results of random effects models found previous- and same-day emotional connectedness decreased odds of experienced IPV; however, experienced IPV did not impact next-day emotional connectedness. Feeling less emotionally safe the previous day was associated with experiencing IPV, and both experiencing and using IPV were associated with feeling emotionally unsafe the next day. Made to feel loved and showing appreciation were protective against experienced IPV, while other pro-relationship behaviors were associated with increased risk (i.e., gifts, sex, and fun together). Findings highlight the need to develop prevention strategies that provide youth with meaningful skills to assist in navigating the emotional and behavioral challenges within their romantic relationships.