March 24, 2021
One in three Canadian youth experiences adolescent dating violence: study
It is common knowledge that domestic violence is a major problem amongst adults, but how much do we know about violence in adolescent relationships? Dr. Deinera Exner-Cortens, PhD, MPH, of ɫ’s Psychology Department, along with postdoctoral scholarDr. Elizabeth Baker and Dr. Wendy Craig, professor in Queen’s University’s Psychology Department,used data from a large national survey (the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children, or HBSC, study) to research the issue.
Published online March 21, 2021, in theJournal of Adolescent Health,the study reports Canada’s first nationally representative data on the topic of adolescent dating violence (ADV), drawing from a sample of over 3,700 participants in Grades 9 and 10who reported dating violence in the past 12 months.
Our findings confirmed what we suspected. Over one in three youth experience adolescent dating violence, and ADV is a serious health problem. It’s important that we continue to develop and institute ADV prevention programs. - Deinera Exner-Cortens
Incidents of ADV are rarely reported to the police, and victims are at risk for future victimization. ADV is defined as aggressions such as physical, sexual, psychological, stalking, and cyber dating abuse, as experienced in early- and mid-adolescent dating relationships.
The findings of this study highlight the continuing importance of prevention resources that are currently in place, such as social-emotional learning curriculum in the elementary grades, and healthy relationships programming in middle and senior high schools. Programming currently being implemented by the nationalis supported by these findings, which will in turn be shared with all active programs. As a result, community programs like, in Calgary, can also talk to new schools about why this type of program is needed.
Violence highest amongst marginalized youth
The study also revealed that the rates of violence are highest amongst marginalized youth, particularly those living in poverty, youth who identify as non-binary, racialized youth and new Canadian youth.The importance ofequity-focusedcommunity-based prevention and interventions are key to stopping cycles of victimization. Prevention of ADV is also linked to improving health and well-beingin thelong term.
Working with organizations that aredirectlyservingdiversecommunities isthebest way to reach parents and youth who are vulnerable. Community organizations can also adapt existing violence preventionfor their population.
“Consultation with communities is essential to addressing violence where it happens. Current curriculum that includes social emotional education is a good start to preventing violence before it occurs. We’ve come a long way, but we also know we need annual data collection and moreresources formarginalized groups,” says Exner-Cortens.
Following on this study, Exner-Cortens emphasizes the need for annual data collection with further insight on marginalized youth, as this population is currently under-represented withinADV research.
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Funding for HBSC data collection was provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada.The funder had no role in the study design; collection, analysis or interpretation of data; writing of the report; or the decision to submit the manuscript for publication. Dr. Exner-Cortens’ work was supported in part by an Early Career Award from Alberta Health Services/PolicyWise. Dr. Baker is an Eyes High postdoctoral scholar.
Child Health and Wellness
The ɫ is driving science and innovation to transform the health and well-being of children and families. Led by the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, top scientists across the campus are partnering with Alberta Health Services, the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, and our community to create a better future for children through research.
Deinera Exner-Cortensis an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and the at the (CSM). She is a member of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, , , and the at the CSM. She is Tier II Canada Research Chair in Childhood Health Promotion.
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