The Role of Race and Gender Based Discrimination in Black Female Youth?s Perceptions of and Experiences with Teen Dating Violence

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Teen dating violence (TDV) affects approximately 1 in 9 female high school students. Black female adolescents are disproportionately affected, with data showing that they are 9 times more likely to experience TDV victimization than their white female peers. TDV victimization is associated with a range of negative sequelae, including acute and chronic physical and mental health problems, suicidality, substance use, behavioral issues, and academic problems. Robust and culturally-responsive strategies are needed to prevent TDV victimization among Black female adolescents. Exposure to racism and sexism has been linked to increased risk for TDV victimization, with one study finding that, among a mostly Black and Latinx sample of youth, those who reported racial and gender discrimination were 2.5 times more likely to report TDV victimization than those who experienced none or one form of discrimination. These data suggest that failing to consider systemic oppression as a risk factor for TDV could limit the impact of prevention strategies for youth of color. The proposed study expands previous work on links between discrimination (race and gender based) and TDV by assessing three levels of discrimination: interpersonal, structural, and internalized. Study aims for this two-year career development award are: 1) qualitatively assess how Black adolescent females’ experiences with race and gender discrimination relate to their beliefs about and experiences with TDV, 2) quantitatively examine associations between racial and gender discrimination and TDV in a sample of Black female adolescents, and 3) using a mixed-methods approach, examine associations between race and gender discrimination and TDV help-seeking. The candidate has outlined the following training goals 1) develop a deeper understanding of and ways to assess associations between discrimination (race and gender-based) and Black female youth’s perceptions of and experiences with teen TDV and 2) enhance leadership and team management skills to support the successful transition to becoming an independent investigator. Data collected from a sample of Black female adolescents between the ages of 15 and 17 years old residing in Pittsburgh, PA, will provide descriptive information needed for a larger study focused on the development, refinement, and pilot testing of a TDV primary prevention program tailored for Black female adolescents, a population disproportionately burdened by TDV. The proposed research along with the training plan described in the application will uniquely position the candidate to become an independent investigator and leading scholar in the important public health problem of TDV, with a focus on reducing TDV risk among Black female adolescents.