Perceptions and predictors of dating violence among nursing and midwifery students.

AIMS

To determine the prevalence and predictors of victimization and perpetration of dating violence among nursing and midwifery students.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study design.

METHODS

The sample consisted of nursing and midwifery students (N = 603) at the largest state university in southeastern Turkey. Data were collected with a validated, investigator-designed survey instrument between September 2015 and January 2016.

FINDINGS

Most participants had been exposed to dating violence. Jealousy, controlling behaviour, and restrictions on another's social life were not perceived as violent behaviour in dating relationships. There was no significant relationship of dating violence with gender, smoking, place of residence, or marijuana use. Exposure to parental violence and alcohol use were found to be the strongest predictors of being a perpetrator of violence in the dating violence perpetration model.

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight the lack of recognition of dating violence among nursing and midwifery students. The perceptions of students should be enriched by adding content on violent behaviours in the curriculum of nursing and midwifery programmes.

IMPACT

Efforts to reduce and stop dating violence have a crucial role in preventing future violence in established relationships. We acknowledge that the prevalence of dating violence among nursing and midwifery students is high. Psychological and verbal violence are extremely common and most are not recognized as violent behaviours by the students. This study contributes to the understanding of violent behaviours related to dating violence among nursing and midwifery students for establishing healthy relationship.