Characteristics of Youth Dating Violence and Risk Factors in Mexico: An Analysis from a National Sample

Dating violence is a significant issue affecting today’s youth and can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic, racial, and religious backgrounds, and it occurs in heterosexual, gay, and lesbian relationships. This study examines and identifies the different types of dating violence, and their associated risk factors in Mexico considering the data from a national sample. In 2007, the National Institute of Statistics, Geography and Information (INEGI) conducted a nationwide survey of youth (15-24 years old), to address the problem of dating violence among these demographic group. The survey was conducted in all 32 states of Mexico, which included 4,147 males and 3,807 females. Results indicate that young females in Mexico suffered different types of dating violence from their counterpart. It also found that dating violence has a greater impact on the health status of girls. In addition, this study shows that dating violence has led many young females toward substance abuse.