Youth Cyber Dating Abuse: A Meta-Analysis of Risk and Protective Factors

Abstract

Cyber Dating Abuse (CDA) has been identified as a prevalent and negative experience for youth, which highlights the need to identify the factors associated with the occurrence of this phenomenon. Thus, this meta-analysis aims to determine the factors associated with youth CDA perpetration and victimization, identifying which of the factors present the strongest risk and protective effects. We identified 16 studies and 17 independent samples, including a total sample of 12,760 adolescents and young adults. Results showed that individual and intimate relation factors were related to both CDA perpetration and victimization, and peer factors were significantly associated with CDA perpetration; individual sociodemographic factors were unrelated to CDA. Findings from this meta-analysis provide valuable evidence to develop CDA prevention and intervention strategies.

Keywords

• Cyber dating abuse
• youth
• risk factors
• protective factors
• meta-analysis