Dating violence among emancipating foster youth

Youth emancipating from foster care have been found to be at higher risk for many adverse outcomes. Only one prior published study exists, however, about the dating violence experiences of foster youth. Asking similar questions about dating violence, this study attempted to replicate the prior findings regarding prevalence and to explore associations between foster care placement history, maltreatment history and mental health/substance abuse and self-reported dating violence. The youth reported a higher prevalence of dating violence than found in studies of the general youth population. Self-reported PTSD symptoms and drug use were associated with higher likelihood of dating violence victimization. The majority of youth self-reporting as dating violence perpetrators also self-reported as victims. Implications for research and practice are discussed.