The relevance of technology to the nature, prevalence and impact of Adolescent Dating Violence and Abuse: A research synthesis Karlie E. Stonard ⁎, Erica Bowen, Tony R. Lawrence, Shelley A. Price Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Coventry University, United Kingdom abstract article info Article history: Received 7 February 2014 Received in revised form 11 June 2014 Accepted 13 June 2014 Available online 21 June 2014 Keywords: Adolescent Dating violence and abuse Technology Media Prevalence Impact While an established literature has documented the nature and prevalence of traditional forms of Adolescent Dat- ing Violence and Abuse (ADVA), less research has investigated the relevance of Electronic Communication Tech- nology (ECT) such as mobile phones and communication tools via the Internet to ADVA and to psychological/ emotional abuse and monitoring or controlling behaviors in particular. This paper reviews the literature on the nature, prevalence and impact of ADVA and what will be termed Technology Assisted Adolescent Dating Violence and Abuse (TAADVA). The review revealed a broad range of prevalence estimates for physical, psychological/ emotional, and sexual dating violence in addition to abuse experienced or performed via ECT. Inconsistencies in prevalence reports are likely to be due to the various measures and methods used to investigate this phenome- non, however; this leads to difficulties when attempting to make accurate comparisons and generalizations. Limited research was found to have explored the impact of TAADVA compared to that of traditional ADVA. Nev- ertheless, ADVA and TAADVA were prevalent in a substantial number of adolescent romantic relationships in these studies. It is suggested that ECT provides a new avenue for ADVA rather than representing a new, unique form of abuse. Further research is needed to explore the nature, prevalence, and impact of ECT use for both abu- sive and non-abusive purposes within adolescent dating relationships, in addition to whether this creates new victims or perpetrators of such abuse. Implications of the findings of the review are discussed. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Contents 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391 1.1. Definitions of dating violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392 1.2. Purpose of the review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393 1.3. Methodology for review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394 2. Prevalence of Adolescent Dating Violence and Abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394 2.1. Physical dating violence and abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394 2.1.1. Victimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394 2.1.2. Perpetration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396 2.1.3. Mutual violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397 2.1.4. Methodological factors relevant to the interpretation of prevalence data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398 2.2. Psychological and emotional dating violence and abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398 2.2.1. Victimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398 2.2.2. Perpetration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399 2.2.3. Mutual violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399 2.2.4. Methodological factors relevant to the interpretation of prevalence data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399 2.3. Sexual dating violence and abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400 2.3.1. Victimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400 2.3.2. Perpetration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401 2.3.3. Mutual violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401 2.3.4. Methodological factors relevant to the interpretation of prevalence data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402 2.4. Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403 Aggression and Violent Behavior 19 (2014) 390–417 ⁎ Corresponding author at: Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Coventry University, Priory Street, Coventry CV1 5FB, United Kingdom. Tel.: +44 2476 888759. E-mail address: ab1764@coventry.ac.uk (K.E. Stonard). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2014.06.005 1359-1789/© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Aggression and Violent Behavior