Friday, March 30, 2012: 1:25 PM-2:45 PM
Yerba Buena Salon 4-6 (San Francisco Marriott Marquis)
Presentation Format:
Scientific Program Report
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize how the wording of the YRBSS question on dating violence may be influencing results, particularly as they relate to male/female victimization
- Articulate three reasons why a change in the wording of the dating violence question on the YRBSS may benefit the field
- Discuss the process for recommending a change to the YRBSS dating abuse question at the national level
Since 1999, the CDC has collected national data from high school students about their past year experiences of dating violence. The resulting statistics are widely used. The current wording of the question, however, may be leading practitioners and policy-makers to erroneous conclusions. At least two states have used alternate wording and achieved dramatically different results. This report will describe the presenter's experience soliciting national feedback from domestic violence advocates and researchers on the wording of the YRBS dating abuse question.