Purposes: This study examined whether direct applications of the three main variables of theory of planned behavior (TPB) (Attitude, Subjective Norm, and Perceived Behavioral Control) combined with gender stereotyping and history of family violence can predict intention to commit dating violence.
Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional, descriptive correlation study design. Four hundred fifty randomly sampled college students from four universities located in northern, southern, central, and eastern regions of Taiwan were enrolled in this study. Three hundred sixty-five completed all questionnaires, which included a survey of demographic data and the following tools: Gender Stereotyping Questionnaire, Dating Violence Danger Assessment- College version (DVDA-C) and a questionnaire to obtain information regarding to intention to commit dating violence, we call the Dating Violence Behavioral Intention Questionnaire (DVBIQ). The recruitment period was from April 2018 to May 2018. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods, independent t-test, Pearson product moment correlation, and hierarchical regression analysis. The study protocol was approved by the local Institutional Review Board.
Results: The results showed that male gender stereotyping, history of family violence, and TPB variables (Attitude, Subjective Norm, and Perceived Behavioral Control) significant associated with intention to commit dating violence. Using hierarchical regression analysis, we found that male gender stereotyping and history of family violence explained 3.6% of the variance in intention to commit dating violence. After controlling for these two variables, we found TPB Attitude to explain an additional 27.1%.
Conclusions: This study identified that attitude toward dating violence is the most important predictor of intention to commit dating violence among college students in Taiwan, followed by male gender stereotyping and family violence history. It is hoped that these findings can be used help design and implement programs for the prevention of violent dating behaviors in college students there.