Public Health Leadership Intervention for Teen Dating Violence Research Paper

Public Health Leadership Intervention for Teen Dating Violence - Research Paper Example One particular rite of passage for this age group involves the social institution of dating. In such a setting, teenagers are alone and often vulnerable. As such, teen-dating violence has become a problem in many segments of society, and is also one that is commonly overlooked or ignored. Mayes (2008) contends that, â€Å"Teen dating violence is a common and often overlooked problem in schools† (p. 37). It is important, therefore, that public health professionals, including medical doctors and psychologists, understand the implications of this problem and work to take measures to provide adolescents with the tools and resources needed to minimize their chances of becoming a victim. While there is much work to be done in this area, many studies have been conducted that take an in-depth look at effective intervention strategies aimed at reducing teen dating violence. What follows is a review of various published material that examines just this. Problem Statement The problem is that the incidences of teen dating violence are on the increase and public health professionals are ill equipped to intervene and reduce the number of victims in their community. Review of Scholarly Literature It must be noted that violence amongst teenagers in a relationship is a common problem and is growing into a serious health concern. It is estimated that about 9% of adolescents experience some form of physical violence during a dating relationship every year (Jouriles, et. al, 2011, p. 302). This leads us to the conclusion that the rate might even be higher, as many communities under report such incidences. Violence that takes place in a dating relationship can be severe. The consequences are certainly evident in the short-term, but the long-term effects can be even more devastating. These consequences include, but are certainly not limited to, serious physical injuries, rape, and death. Studies have also shown that even playful innuendos, such as sexual coercion, undertaken by one partner in a relationship, can have disastrous long-term consequences on the victim and threaten their very psychological well-being. For these reasons alone, it is important for medical practitioners, and other concerned stakeholders, to understand the events that lead to teen-dating violence and to make it a societal goal to reduce such incidences. Dating violence is often condoned because one party believes that they deserved the action that was forced upon them. This is a type of victimization syndrome that has pervaded society for centuries. Maas, et. al., notes, â€Å"Teen dating violence is a prevalent form of youth violence that has gained increasing attention from researchers† (2010, p. 131). A further study of female students in the 9th-12th grades revealed that 20% were victims of physical or sexual abuse in dating relationships. This is alarming and indicates with near certainty that many cases are simply going unreported. Studies also show that more girls than boys are victims and that there are more cases of violent behavior in dating relationships in urban areas and in rural communities (Fredland, 2008, p. 95). Weisz and Black (2009) recently concluded a thorough examination of effective intervention strategies aimed at reducing the number of incidences of teen dating violence. During the course of their study, they discovered that teens are not likely to discuss dating