Differences Between Sexes in Psychopathological Variables among Adolescent Victims of Dating Violence

This descriptive-comparative study had the aim of examining if there were differences between sexes with respect to a number of psychopathological variables and other issues among adolescents who are victims of dating violence. There were 757 participants, adolescents between 12 and 19 years of age; 59% were female (and 41% male), from 15 different secondary education institutions in two intermediate-sized cities in Colombia. The following instruments were used: the Spanish version of Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory (CADRI), the Behavior Assessment System for Children and Adolescents -self-report version- (BASC-S3), the Symptoms Checklist SCL-90-R and a self-report, psychological variable questionnaire. The boys surveyed reported having received more relational and physical aggression. However, the girls demonstrated a significantly higher frequency in terms of psychopathological symptoms, more severe clinical and personal maladjustment, and bad relationships with peers and relatives. This indicates that the girls who are victims of these forms of violence suffer more difficulties, an aspect that should be taken into consideration in the prevention and intervention campaigns related with this issue. Resumen Este estudio descriptivo comparativo tuvo como objetivo examinar si existían diferencias por sexo con respecto a un conjunto de variables psicopatológicas y otras dificultades, entre adolescentes víctimas de violencia en el noviazgo (VN). Participaron 757 adolescentes entre 12 y 19 años de edad, el 59% mujeres, vinculados a 15 instituciones de educación media de dos ciudades intermedias de Colombia. Se utilizó la versión española del Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory (CADRI), el Sistema de Evaluación de la Conducta de Niños y Adolescentes -versión de auto informe- (BASC-S3), la Lista de Síntomas SCL-90-R y un cuestionario de auto-informe de variables psicológicas. Los varones reportaron haber recibido una frecuencia mayor de malos tratos de tipo relacional y físico. Sin embargo, las mujeres evidenciaron una frecuencia significativamente mayor de síntomas psicopatológicos, un mayor desajuste clínico y personal, y malas relaciones con pares y familiares, lo cual indica que las mujeres víctimas de esta forma de violencia presentan más dificultades, aspecto que debería ser considerado en las campañas prevención e intervención de esta problemática.