This blog is a summary of our published article: McArthur, J., Blais, J., & Ternes, M. (2024). Digital Dating Abuse: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 39(5-6), 1308-1326. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605231205595
Written by: Samantha Williams
Online dating abuse includes digital monitoring or control (e.g., excessive text messaging), digital direct aggression (e.g., threats of violence), digital sexual coercion (e.g., pressuring a partner to send a sext).[1] This type of abuse is super common among young adults – up to 93% of undergraduate students report experiencing or engaging in online dating abuse.[2] Photo by Anna Shvets via Canva
To prevent online dating abuse, we need to be able to identify the factors that lead people to perpetrate it. Once we know what these factors are, we can address them and reduce the chances someone will go on to perpetrate online dating abuse.
According to Theory of Planned Behaviour, three factors influences people’s decision to engage in most behaviours, including abuse[3]:
1. Personal attitudes that support the behaviour (e.g., “I want to do it, and I enjoy doing it”)
2. Subjective norms and social acceptance of the behaviours (e.g., “My friends also do it, so this is normal”)
3. Perception that one can perform the behaviour (e.g., “I am capable of doing it”)
The factors in the Theory of Planned Behaviour haven’t been applied to online dating abuse. In this study, we wanted to see whether these factors (attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control) could explain online dating abuse.
We recruited 352 Canadian university students between the ages of 18-25 who had been in at least one romantic relationship since they were 18 years old. The participants completed an online survey that assessed their attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and their intentions to commit online dating abuse in the future.
Personal attitudes were the strongest predictor of intention to commit online dating abuse, followed by subjective norms. This means that people who had personal beliefs that support online dating abuse, or had peers and family members who support online dating abuse were more likely to engage in online dating abuse. Perceived behavioural control did not predict intentions to commit online dating abuse. Therefore, the factors listed in the Theory of Planned Behaviour partially explain online dating abuse.
This means that we need to focus on changing people’s personal attitudes toward online dating abuse if we want to prevent the abuse from happening. We should also look at social pressure and the actions of peers and family members as a key factor in people’s decision to perpetrate online dating abuse. The results of this study are important because psychologists and educators can use this information to inform their prevention programs.
It also provides some insight into the use of technology for abuse. Young adults are avid technology and social media users, so they all have the opportunity and ability to carry out online dating abuse.[4] The results of this study indicate that just because people can do it, it doesn’t mean they would. Technology is just another tool to perpetrate abuse if people already have the tendency to do so.
Photo by fauxels via Canva
It also provides some insight into the use of technology for abuse. Young adults are avid technology and social media users, so they all have the opportunity and ability to carry out online dating abuse.[4] The results of this study indicate that just because people can do it, it doesn’t mean they would. Technology is just another tool to perpetrate abuse if people already have the tendency to do so.
References
[1] Reed, L. A., Tolman, R. M., & Ward, L. M. (2016). Snooping and sexting: Digital media as a context for dating aggression and abuse among college students. Violence Against Women, 22(13), 1556–1576. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801216630143
[2] Leisring, P. A., & Giumetti, G. W. (2014). Sticks and stones may break my bones, but abusive text messages also hurt: Development and validation of the Cyber Psychological Abuse Scale. Partner Abuse, 5(3), 323–341. https://doi.org/10.1891/1946-6560.5.3.323
[3] Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T
[4] Doane, A. N., Pearson, M. R., & Kelley, M. L. (2014). Predictors of cyberbullying perpetration among college students: An application of the Theory of Reasoned Action. Computers in Human Behavior, 36, 154–162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.03.051
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