Indiana Psychological Association News

PsychByte: Abusive Relationships in Teens

Abusive Relationships in Teens

Adolescence is a critical time for the development of an individual’s sense of identity and his/her role in relationships and society. When a pattern of unhealthy relationships develops, it often starts during adolescence and persists into adulthood.  According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 23% of females and 14% of males who reported a partner had raped, physically violated, or stalked them had first experienced partner abuse between ages 11 and 17.  In a CDC survey conducted in 2013, 10% of adolescents report sexual victimization and 10% reported physical victimization in the year prior to the survey.  The CDC provides excellent resources for identifying those at risk for partner violence and abuse, as well as guidance for parents and those who work with adolescents.  In working with teens, it is important to be aware of the risks these types of relationships have on the individual in the short term and over time. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov. 
 
Reference:
http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/intimatepartnerviolence/teen_dating_violence.html
 
Contributor:
Julie T. Steck, Ph.D., HSPP
CRG/Children’s Resource Group, Indianapolis
 

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"PsychBytes” is a weekly educational resource from the Indiana Psychological Association (IPA) provided for psychologists, their colleagues and their patients.