From bidirectionality to victimization: A theoretical approach to offline and online violence in adolescent relationships

Abstract

In the early stages of adolescence, the type of violence that is detected most often in couple relationships are bidirectional. Violence is used as a way to resolve conflicts in the relationship or as a result of controlling and jealous behaviors that occur regardless of the adolescents' sex. However, as this vital stage progresses, violent behaviors change, and significant differences are found between boys and girls, with girls being more likely to be the victims.  The main objective of this study was to carry out a theoretical approach to dating violence in offline and online contexts, summarizing the main conceptual considerations that revolve around the investigation of this type of violence and deepening its description, characteristics, and typology to offer a contextual and comprehensive explanation of the evolution of this problem.