Prevalence and factors related to dating violence victimization and perpetration among a representative sample of adolescents and young adults in Haiti

• Published in: Child abuse & neglect 2022-06, Vol.128, p.105597-105597, Article 105597
• Main Authors: Cénat, Jude Mary, Mukunzi, Joana N., Amédée, Laetitia Mélissande, Clorméus, Lewis Ampidu, Dalexis, Rose Darly, Lafontaine, Marie-France, Guerrier, Mireille, Michel, Guesly, Hébert, Martine
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acceptance; Acceptance of violence; Adolescent; Adolescents; Adult; Age; Age groups; Bullying; Couples; Crime Victims - psychology; Dating; Dating violence perpetration; Dating violence victimization; Domestic violence; Egalitarianism; Female; Females; Gender; Gender differences; Haiti - epidemiology; Humans; Interparental violence witnessing; Intimate partner violence; Intimate Partner Violence - psychology; Male; Males; Men; Parental violence experience; Parents & parenting; Prevalence; Prevention programs; Romantic relationships; Rural communities; Rural urban differences; Self esteem; Sex crimes; Sexual violence; Social acceptance; Social desirability; Teachers; Teenagers; Victimization; Victims of Crime; Violence; Women; Young Adult; Young adults
• ISSN: 0145-2134; 1873-7757
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105597

Studies examining both victimization and perpetration of dating violence among both women and men are virtually non-existent in Haiti. This study aimed to document the prevalence and factors associated with victimization and perpetration of dating violence (DV) among adolescents and young adults aged 15–24 years in Haiti. A total of 3586 participants (47.6% women; mean age = 19.37; SD = 2.71) were sampled in the 10 geographical departments according to residence areas (urban/rural), age group (15–19/20–24 years old), and gender (men/women). Participants completed questionnaires assessing DV victimization and perpetration, witnessing interparental violence, parental violence, violence acceptance, social desirability, and self-esteem. Overall, 1538 participants (56% women) were in a romantic relationship in the past year. Results showed that men were more likely to experience both psychological (49.4% of women and 57% of men, X2 = 8.17, p = .004), and physical violence (11.1% of women and 18.8% of men, X2 = 8.13, p = .004). There were marginally significant differences for sexual violence between gender for adolescents aged 15 to 19 (26.5% of girls and 20.5% of boys, X2 = 3.25, p = .07), and not for young adults (21.8% of women and 24.0% of men, X2 = 0.49, p = .48). No significant difference was observed for any forms of DV perpetration. DV perpetration was positively associated with victimization (b = 0.5, p = .002), however victimization was not associated with perpetration. Results also showed different associations between violence perpetration and victimization, gender, social desirability, acceptance of violence, parental violence, and witnessing interparental violence. This study highlights avenues for prevention and intervention that must begin at an early age, engage teachers, train peer-educators, promote healthy, non-violent and egalitarian romantic relationships.