| This study aimed to document adolescents' perceived resistance to or acceptance of physical and psychological abusive behaviors in romantic relationships in low income, urban neighborhoods of Puerto Rico. The study explored how the resistance or acceptance of those behaviors varied by gender, developmental stage, and perceptions of family violence in the adolescents' families of origin. As this study sought to understand how those distal variables influenced resistance and acceptance, it explored the role of a core set of mediators, (a) orientation to gender roles, and (b) the five classes of decision determinants suggested by the Unified Theory of Behavior (UTB)--- behavioral beliefs/expectancies, social norms, self-concept/social-image, affect/emotions, and self-efficacy. This qualitative study with an elicitation analysis component relied on in-depth semi-structured interviews to address the proposed research questions. A total sample of forty-eight participants between the ages of thirteen to twenty-one years were randomly selected using area sampling methodology. Data was content analyzed in ATLAS Ti using traditional emergent theory methods and formal elicitation analysis procedures, associated with decision making theory. The findings revealed that adolescents' decision to resist or accept physical and psychological abusive behaviors was influenced by gender role views, perceptions of violence beyond family violence, and the UTB's decision determinants. Developmental stage and gender variations were found across emerging themes and decision determinants. Social work policy and practice recommendations are proposed. The study represents the first stage of a larger quantitative study that aims to develop an evidence-based primary prevention intervention for Puerto Rican males and females to help them resist abusive behaviors in a romantic relationship. |
