Cyber dating abuse: Sex, substance use and relationship length

Abstract

New technologies have grown exponentially in recent years, and they have been associated with phenomena such as cyber dating abuse. This study, carried out in Portugal, aimed to investigate whether there are differences in cyber dating abuse between sexes, to study the relationship between cyber dating and substance use, and between cyber dating abuse and relationship length. In this study participated 894 higher education students, aged between 17 and 56 years old. The Cyber Dating Abuse Questionnaire and the Drug Abuse Screening Test were used. Regarding to sex, the results showed statistically differences between some cyber dating abuse factors. It was also found that substance use was positively related to all cyber dating abuse factors. Moreover, it was observed that individuals who had been in a longer relationship practiced more acts of control. Possible justifications for the results, as well as practical implications of the results, are discussed.