Stability of Physical and Psychological Adolescent Dating Aggression Across Time and Partners

This study examined the stability of adolescent physical and psychological dating aggression across both time and partners in a sample of 664 high school students using both nonparametric and growth curve (GC) modeling techniques. Nonparametric and GC modeling tests demonstrated moderate levels of stability of all forms of aggression. Nonparametric tests also revealed higher rates of stability among those with relationship continuity. Although GC analyses indicated that significant increases in psychological aggression perpetration were associated with relationship continuity, staying with the same partner did not place adolescents at heightened risk for physical perpetration or physical or psychological victimization. Being female was associated with significant decreases in psychological victimization and perpetration across time. Findings demonstrate the importance of early prevention of dating aggression and the need to consider gender and relationship variables.