The impact of adolescent dating violence and abuse on victims’ mental health and social isolation: a thematic empirical evidence review

StatusVoR
Simple item page
dc.abstract.enPurpose Adolescent dating violence and abuse (ADVA) can have severe and long-lasting implications for the mental health, cognitive development, and overall wellbeing of young people at a complex developmental stage. The purpose of this paper is to scrutinise current literature and consider the impact of early intimate dating abuse, exploring how factors such as the quality and influence of peer relationships can be critical foundations to young people’s vulnerability or resilience. The significance of certain childhood adversities as predictors of increased risk of future ADVA perpetration and victimisation will be considered. Design/methodology/approach In this article, the authors examine the impact of ADVA on victim-survivors focusing on mental distress, including self-harm, depression and anxiety, continuous traumatic stress, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal ideation. The authors also examine the pervasive influence of ADVA on victims’ social isolation and exclusion from networks of social support. ADVA often causes victims to be fearful, entrapped, isolated and controlled. Findings Societal normalisation of dating abuse and rape myths can exacerbate a victim’s feelings of self-blame and shame, severely impairing young people’s ability to disclose and seek external support, perpetuating feelings of helplessness. In integrating recent research, legislation and government reports, the authors demonstrate the necessity of addressing ADVA through a whole school approach, trauma-informed interventions and authentic educational programmes. Originality/value This article contributes to the growing body of literature, emphasising both the mental health impact and urgent need to change attitudes and behaviours underlying ADVA. The authors offer recommendations for policy and practice such that the needs of victims can be better met whilst perpetrators are offered support and held to account.
dc.affiliationWydział Psychologii we Wrocławiu
dc.affiliationInstytut Psychologii
dc.contributor.authorKirkman, Gillian
dc.contributor.authorWillmott, Dominic
dc.contributor.authorBoduszek, Daniel
dc.date.accessioned2026-09-09T08:16:43Z
dc.date.available2026-09-09T08:16:43Z
dc.date.created2025-01-10
dc.date.issued2025-12-01
dc.description.abstract<jats:sec> <jats:title>Purpose</jats:title> <jats:p>Adolescent dating violence and abuse (ADVA) can have severe and long-lasting implications for the mental health, cognitive development, and overall wellbeing of young people at a complex developmental stage. The purpose of this paper is to scrutinise current literature and consider the impact of early intimate dating abuse, exploring how factors such as the quality and influence of peer relationships can be critical foundations to young people’s vulnerability or resilience. The significance of certain childhood adversities as predictors of increased risk of future ADVA perpetration and victimisation will be considered.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Design/methodology/approach</jats:title> <jats:p>In this article, the authors examine the impact of ADVA on victim-survivors focusing on mental distress, including self-harm, depression and anxiety, continuous traumatic stress, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal ideation. The authors also examine the pervasive influence of ADVA on victims’ social isolation and exclusion from networks of social support. ADVA often causes victims to be fearful, entrapped, isolated and controlled.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Findings</jats:title> <jats:p>Societal normalisation of dating abuse and rape myths can exacerbate a victim’s feelings of self-blame and shame, severely impairing young people’s ability to disclose and seek external support, perpetuating feelings of helplessness. In integrating recent research, legislation and government reports, the authors demonstrate the necessity of addressing ADVA through a whole school approach, trauma-informed interventions and authentic educational programmes.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Originality/value</jats:title> <jats:p>This article contributes to the growing body of literature, emphasising both the mental health impact and urgent need to change attitudes and behaviours underlying ADVA. The authors offer recommendations for policy and practice such that the needs of victims can be better met whilst perpetrators are offered support and held to account.</jats:p> </jats:sec>
dc.description.issue6
dc.description.physical761–773
dc.description.sdgGenderEquality
dc.description.versionfinal_published
dc.description.volume29
dc.identifier.doi10.1108/MHSI-02-2025-0051
dc.identifier.eissn2042-8316
dc.identifier.issn2042-8308
dc.identifier.urihttps://share.swps.edu.pl/handle/swps/2515
dc.identifier.weblinkhttps://www.emerald.com/mhsi/article-abstract/29/6/761/1254880/The-impact-of-adolescent-dating-violence-and-abuse?redirectedFrom=fulltext
dc.languageen
dc.pbn.affiliationpsychologia
dc.rightsClosedAccess
dc.rights.questionNo_rights
dc.subject.enAdolescent dating violence and abuse (ADVA)
dc.subject.enMental distress
dc.subject.enSocial isolation
dc.subject.enTrauma informed interventions
dc.subject.enWhole school approaches
dc.swps.sciencecloudsend
dc.titleThe impact of adolescent dating violence and abuse on victims’ mental health and social isolation: a thematic empirical evidence review
dc.title.journalMental Health and Social Inclusion
dc.typeJournalArticle
dspace.entity.typeArticle