An investigation of factors predicting dating violence victimization in out-of-school female adolescents

The purpose of this study is to identify the current status of dating violence victimization and the factors that predict dating violence victimization in out-of-school female adolescents. The data was collected from 171 out-of-school female adolescents aged 16 to 18 in youth detention centers, runaway youth shelters, and protective disposition no. 6 facilities in Korea. Child physical abuse, delinquency, dating relationship control, and dating violence victimization were assessed using structured questionnaires. The predictors of dating violence victimization were analyzed using binomial logistic regression. The prevalence rate of dating violence victimization was 42.1%. Child physical abuse (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=.1.05, p=.036), delinquency (AOR=.1.23, p=.016.), dating relationship control (AOR=.92, p=.012), and drinking frequency (AOR=.27, p=.038) were the significant predictors in out-of-school female adolescents. The results provide preliminary data and strategies to screen for dating violence victimization in out-of-school female adolescents. An adjusted education program incorporating our result could be developed in order to prevent dating violence victimization in out-of-school female adolescents.