Skip to main content
Erschienen in: The Journal of Primary Prevention 6/2014

01.12.2014 | Original Paper

“If You Don’t Have Honesty in a Relationship, Then There Is No Relationship”: African American Girls’ Characterization of Healthy Dating Relationships, A Qualitative Study

verfasst von: Katrina J. Debnam, Donna E. Howard, Mary A. Garza

Erschienen in: Journal of Prevention | Ausgabe 6/2014

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Abstract

The quality of dating relationships in adolescence can have long lasting effects on identity development, self-esteem, and interpersonal skills, and can shape values and behaviors related to future intimate relationships. The aims of this study were to: (1) investigate how African American adolescent girls characterize healthy relationships; and (2) describe the meanings of these characteristics in the context of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 12 healthy dating relationship qualities. We conducted semi-structured one-on-one in-depth interviews with 33 African American high school girls in the mid-Atlantic region. Trained staff transcribed interviews verbatim and entered the data into ATLAS.ti for coding and analysis. Participants’ specified and vividly described eight healthy relationship characteristics: good communication, honesty, trust, respect, compromise, understanding, individuality, and self-confidence. Of these characteristics, three (good communication, compromise, and respect) were described in ways discordant with CDC’s definitions. Findings highlight a need to better understand how girls develop values and ascribe characteristics of healthy relationships in order to reduce their risk for teen dating violence.
Literatur
Zurück zum Zitat Abraham, C., & Michie, S. (2008). A taxonomy of behavior change techniques used in interventions. Health Psychology: Official Journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association, 27(3), 379–387. doi:10.1037/0278-6133.27.3.379.CrossRef Abraham, C., & Michie, S. (2008). A taxonomy of behavior change techniques used in interventions. Health Psychology: Official Journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association, 27(3), 379–387. doi:10.​1037/​0278-6133.​27.​3.​379.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Ackard, D. M., & Neumark-Sztainer, D. (2002). Date violence and date rape among adolescents: Associations with disordered eating behaviors and psychological health. Child Abuse and Neglect, 26(5), 455–473.PubMedCrossRef Ackard, D. M., & Neumark-Sztainer, D. (2002). Date violence and date rape among adolescents: Associations with disordered eating behaviors and psychological health. Child Abuse and Neglect, 26(5), 455–473.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Akers, A. Y., Yonas, M., Burke, J., & Chang, J. C. (2010). “Do you want somebody treating your sister like that?” Qualitative exploration of how African American families discuss and promote healthy teen dating relationships. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 26(11), 2165–2185. doi:10.1177/0886260510383028.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Akers, A. Y., Yonas, M., Burke, J., & Chang, J. C. (2010). “Do you want somebody treating your sister like that?” Qualitative exploration of how African American families discuss and promote healthy teen dating relationships. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 26(11), 2165–2185. doi:10.​1177/​0886260510383028​.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Bandura, A. (2004). Health promotion by social cognitive means. Health Education & Behavior: The Official Publication of the Society for Public Health Education, 31(2), 143–164. doi:10.1177/1090198104263660.CrossRef Bandura, A. (2004). Health promotion by social cognitive means. Health Education & Behavior: The Official Publication of the Society for Public Health Education, 31(2), 143–164. doi:10.​1177/​1090198104263660​.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Banister, E., & Leadbeater, B. J. (Eds.). (2007). To stay or to leave? How do mentoring groups support healthy dating relationships in high-risk girls?. New York: New York University Press. Banister, E., & Leadbeater, B. J. (Eds.). (2007). To stay or to leave? How do mentoring groups support healthy dating relationships in high-risk girls?. New York: New York University Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Berg, B. L. (2007). Qualitative research methods for the social sciences (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc. Berg, B. L. (2007). Qualitative research methods for the social sciences (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.
Zurück zum Zitat Berger, L. E., McMakin, D., & Furman, W. (2005). The language of love in adolescence. In A. Williams & C. Thurlow (Eds.), Communication in adolescence: Perspectives on language and social interaction in the teenage years. New York, NY: Peter Lang Publishing. Berger, L. E., McMakin, D., & Furman, W. (2005). The language of love in adolescence. In A. Williams & C. Thurlow (Eds.), Communication in adolescence: Perspectives on language and social interaction in the teenage years. New York, NY: Peter Lang Publishing.
Zurück zum Zitat Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2008). Youth risk behavior survieillance—United States, 2007. Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, 57(SS-4), 1–131. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2008). Youth risk behavior survieillance—United States, 2007. Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, 57(SS-4), 1–131.
Zurück zum Zitat Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012c). Youth risk behavior surveillance—United States, 2011. Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, 61(SS-4). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012c). Youth risk behavior surveillance—United States, 2011. Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, 61(SS-4).
Zurück zum Zitat Chiodo, D., Crooks, C. V., Wolfe, D. A., McIsaac, C., Hughes, R., & Jaffe, P. G. (2011). Longitudinal prediction and concurrent functioning of adolescent girls demonstrating various profiles of dating violence and victimization. Prevention Science, 13(4), 350–359. doi:10.1007/s11121-011-0236-3.CrossRef Chiodo, D., Crooks, C. V., Wolfe, D. A., McIsaac, C., Hughes, R., & Jaffe, P. G. (2011). Longitudinal prediction and concurrent functioning of adolescent girls demonstrating various profiles of dating violence and victimization. Prevention Science, 13(4), 350–359. doi:10.​1007/​s11121-011-0236-3.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Eaton, D. K., Kann, L., Kinchen, S., Shanklin, S., Ross, J., Hawkins, J et al. (2009). Youth risk behavior surveillance—United States. Surveillance Summaries, 59(SS-5). Eaton, D. K., Kann, L., Kinchen, S., Shanklin, S., Ross, J., Hawkins, J et al. (2009). Youth risk behavior surveillance—United States. Surveillance Summaries, 59(SS-5).
Zurück zum Zitat Feldman, S. S., & Gowen, L. K. (1998). Conflict negotiation tactics in romantic relationships in high school students. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 27(6), 691–717.CrossRef Feldman, S. S., & Gowen, L. K. (1998). Conflict negotiation tactics in romantic relationships in high school students. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 27(6), 691–717.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Foshee, V. A., Bauman, K. E., Arriaga, X. B., Helms, R. W., Koch, G. G., & Linder, G. F. (1998). An evaluation of safe dates, an adolescent dating violence prevention program. American Journal of Public Health, 88(1), 45–50.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Foshee, V. A., Bauman, K. E., Arriaga, X. B., Helms, R. W., Koch, G. G., & Linder, G. F. (1998). An evaluation of safe dates, an adolescent dating violence prevention program. American Journal of Public Health, 88(1), 45–50.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Foshee, V. A., Bauman, K. E., Ennett, S. T., Suchindran, C., Benefield, T., & Linder, G. F. (2005). Assessing the effects of the dating violence prevention program “safe dates” using random coefficient regression modeling. Prevention Science, 6(3), 245–258. doi:10.1007/s11121-005-0007-0.PubMedCrossRef Foshee, V. A., Bauman, K. E., Ennett, S. T., Suchindran, C., Benefield, T., & Linder, G. F. (2005). Assessing the effects of the dating violence prevention program “safe dates” using random coefficient regression modeling. Prevention Science, 6(3), 245–258. doi:10.​1007/​s11121-005-0007-0.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Fredland, N., Ricardo, I. B., Campbell, J. C., Sharps, Kub, J. K., & Yonas, M. (2005). The meaning of dating violence in the lives of middle school adolescents: A report of a focus group study. Journal of School Violence, 4(2), 95–114. Fredland, N., Ricardo, I. B., Campbell, J. C., Sharps, Kub, J. K., & Yonas, M. (2005). The meaning of dating violence in the lives of middle school adolescents: A report of a focus group study. Journal of School Violence, 4(2), 95–114.
Zurück zum Zitat Furman, W., & Buhrmester, D. (1992). Age and sex differences in perceptions of networks of personal relationships. Child Development, 63, 103–115.PubMedCrossRef Furman, W., & Buhrmester, D. (1992). Age and sex differences in perceptions of networks of personal relationships. Child Development, 63, 103–115.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Giordano, P. C., Longmore, M. A., & Manning, W. D. (2006). Gender and the meaning of adolescent romantic relationships: A focus on boys. American Sociological Review, 71, 260–287.CrossRef Giordano, P. C., Longmore, M. A., & Manning, W. D. (2006). Gender and the meaning of adolescent romantic relationships: A focus on boys. American Sociological Review, 71, 260–287.CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Glass, N., Fredland, N., Campbell, J., Yonas, M., Sharps, P., & Kub, J. (2003). Adolescent dating violence: Prevalence, risk factors, health outcomes, and implications for clinical practice. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 32(2), 227–238.PubMedCrossRef Glass, N., Fredland, N., Campbell, J., Yonas, M., Sharps, P., & Kub, J. (2003). Adolescent dating violence: Prevalence, risk factors, health outcomes, and implications for clinical practice. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 32(2), 227–238.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Guzman, L., Ikramullah, E., Manlove, J., & Peterson, K. (2009). Teen perspectives on healthy romantic relationships among racial/ethnic minorities. Washington, DC: Child Trends. Guzman, L., Ikramullah, E., Manlove, J., & Peterson, K. (2009). Teen perspectives on healthy romantic relationships among racial/ethnic minorities. Washington, DC: Child Trends.
Zurück zum Zitat Howard, D., Wang, M. Q., & Yan, F. (2007). Psychosocial factors associated with reports of physical dating violence among U.S. adolescent females. Adolescence, 42(166), 311–324.PubMed Howard, D., Wang, M. Q., & Yan, F. (2007). Psychosocial factors associated with reports of physical dating violence among U.S. adolescent females. Adolescence, 42(166), 311–324.PubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Johnson, S. B., Frattaroli, S., Campbell, J., Wright, J., Pearson-Fields, A. S., & Cheng, T. L. (2005). “I know what love means.” Gender-based violence in the lives of urban adolescents. Journal of Women’s Health, 14(2), 172–179. doi:10.1089/jwh.2005.14.172.PubMedCrossRef Johnson, S. B., Frattaroli, S., Campbell, J., Wright, J., Pearson-Fields, A. S., & Cheng, T. L. (2005). “I know what love means.” Gender-based violence in the lives of urban adolescents. Journal of Women’s Health, 14(2), 172–179. doi:10.​1089/​jwh.​2005.​14.​172.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Jouriles, E. N., Platt, C., & McDonald, R. (2009). Violence in adolescent dating relationships. The Prevention Researcher, 16, 3–7. Jouriles, E. N., Platt, C., & McDonald, R. (2009). Violence in adolescent dating relationships. The Prevention Researcher, 16, 3–7.
Zurück zum Zitat Laursen, B., & Collins, W. A. (1994). Interpersonal conflict during adolescence. Psychological Bulletin, 115, 197–209.PubMedCrossRef Laursen, B., & Collins, W. A. (1994). Interpersonal conflict during adolescence. Psychological Bulletin, 115, 197–209.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Marshall, C., & Rossman, G. B. (2006). Designing qualitative research (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Marshall, C., & Rossman, G. B. (2006). Designing qualitative research (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Zurück zum Zitat Martinez, R., Rosenfeld, R., & Mares, D. (2008). Social disorganization, drug market activity, and neighborhood violent crime. Urban Affairs Review, 43(6), 846–874.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Martinez, R., Rosenfeld, R., & Mares, D. (2008). Social disorganization, drug market activity, and neighborhood violent crime. Urban Affairs Review, 43(6), 846–874.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Miller, J. (2008). Getting played: African American girls urban inequality and gendered violence. New York: New York University Press. Miller, J. (2008). Getting played: African American girls urban inequality and gendered violence. New York: New York University Press.
Zurück zum Zitat Mulford, C., & Giordano, P. C. (2008). Teen dating violence: A closer look at adolescent romantic relationships. National Institute of Justice, 261, 34–40. Mulford, C., & Giordano, P. C. (2008). Teen dating violence: A closer look at adolescent romantic relationships. National Institute of Justice, 261, 34–40.
Zurück zum Zitat Raiford, J. L., Wingood, G. M., & Diclemente, R. J. (2007). Prevalence, incidence, and predictors of dating violence: A longitudinal study of African American female adolescents. Journal of Women’s Health, 16(6), 822–832. doi:10.1089/jwh.2006.0002.PubMedCrossRef Raiford, J. L., Wingood, G. M., & Diclemente, R. J. (2007). Prevalence, incidence, and predictors of dating violence: A longitudinal study of African American female adolescents. Journal of Women’s Health, 16(6), 822–832. doi:10.​1089/​jwh.​2006.​0002.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Sampson, R. J., Raudenbush, S. W., & Earls, F. (1997). Neighborhoods and violent crime: A multilevel study of collective efficacy. Science, 277(5328), 918–924.PubMedCrossRef Sampson, R. J., Raudenbush, S. W., & Earls, F. (1997). Neighborhoods and violent crime: A multilevel study of collective efficacy. Science, 277(5328), 918–924.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Sears, H. A., Byers, E. S., Whelan, J. J., & Saint-Pierre, M. (2006). “If it hurts you, then it is not a joke”: Adolescents’ ideas about girls’ and boys’ use and experience of abusive behavior in dating relationships. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 21(9), 1191–1207. doi:10.1177/0886260506290423.PubMedCrossRef Sears, H. A., Byers, E. S., Whelan, J. J., & Saint-Pierre, M. (2006). “If it hurts you, then it is not a joke”: Adolescents’ ideas about girls’ and boys’ use and experience of abusive behavior in dating relationships. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 21(9), 1191–1207. doi:10.​1177/​0886260506290423​.PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Shaffer, D. R. (2009). Social and personality development (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning. Shaffer, D. R. (2009). Social and personality development (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.
Zurück zum Zitat US Department of Education (2005). Helping your child become a responsible citizen. Washington, DC: Office of Communications and Outreach. US Department of Education (2005). Helping your child become a responsible citizen. Washington, DC: Office of Communications and Outreach.
Metadaten
Titel
“If You Don’t Have Honesty in a Relationship, Then There Is No Relationship”: African American Girls’ Characterization of Healthy Dating Relationships, A Qualitative Study
verfasst von
Katrina J. Debnam
Donna E. Howard
Mary A. Garza
Publikationsdatum
01.12.2014
Verlag
Springer US
Erschienen in
Journal of Prevention / Ausgabe 6/2014
Print ISSN: 2731-5533
Elektronische ISSN: 2731-5541
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-014-0362-3

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 6/2014

The Journal of Primary Prevention 6/2014 Zur Ausgabe