Prevalence of Dating Partner Violence and Suicidal Ideation Among Male and Female University Students Worldwide

This paper presents findings from the International Dating Violence study regarding the prevalence of physical assault, sexual coercion, rind suicidal ideation among university students and explores the relationships between suicidal ideation tend dating violence. Nearly 16,000 university students froth 22 sites in 21 countries were recruited through convenience sampling. The results showed that although there were large differences between countries, the lowest rates of slating violence were still quite high. Male and female students were remarkably similar in the proportion of those who physically assaulted a partner or reported being a victim of sexual coercion. Correlation analysis revealed that perpetrators and victims of physical assault had an increased rate of suicidal ideation. Depression accounted for the relationship between dating violence and suicidal ideation. This study highlights a need for the development of universal screening and targeted services for violence. depression. tend suicide prevention. J Midwilery Womens Health 2008:53: 529-537 (C) 2008 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.