Work

New Values, New Lives, and Emerging Dating Violence: Insights on Detection and Intervention from Health Sciences Students

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Gender-based violence in dating relationships is a multifaceted issue that encompasses diverse forms. In university settings, high prevalence rates have been reported, with psychological violence being the most common. New forms of digital violence, such as cyberbullying, control through social media, and digital aesthetic pressure, further complicate the phenomenon. PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore Health Sciences students' perceptions of gender-based violence in dating relationships to identify key dimensions for understanding and intervention. METHODS: A qualitative design was employed using focus groups with ten participants, analyzed through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). RESULTS: Four main themes emerged: characteristics of gender-based violence in dating relationships, types of violence identified, aesthetic pressure within affective relationships, and strategies for detecting and responding to violence. CONCLUSIONS: Findings emphasize the importance of incorporating students' voices into prevention strategies and propose educational interventions that address both offline and online dynamics of gender-based violence in dating relationships.

Source: Behavioral Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/bs16050630

Authors: Sara Sanchez-Balcells, Maria Aurelia Sánchez-Ortega, Marta Prats-Arimon, Pepita Giménez-Bonafé, Núria Vergés Bosch, Montserrat Puig-Llobet

Institutions: Universitat de Barcelona, Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya

Language: English

Topic: Intimate Partner and Family Violence

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,654