Adults' Attributions of Victim Blame Toward Adolescent Victims of Physical Dating Violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public crisis and is identified as a serious problem for individuals across the lifespan. Innocent victims of IPV victimization are often rejected, derogated, and held entirely or partially responsible for what happened to them. This is referred to commonly as victim blaming. Victim blaming is prevalent and detrimental to victims' psychological and physical well-being. Intimate partner violence and victim blaming is also prevalent among the adolescent population. The phenomenon of victim blaming by adults toward adolescent victims of physical dating violence has not previously been considered. The present study examined adults' attribution of blame toward adolescent female victims of physical dating violence and examined the relationship of victim blaming with the respondents' endorsement of a belief in a just world, as well as the respondent's age, gender, race/ethnicity, educational level, marital status, parental status, income level, and sexual orientation. Respondents (N = 324) participated in an online survey utilizing the Global Belief in a Just World Scale and vignettes to measure victim blame. A one sample t-test was conducted and results of the t-test were significant indicating that adults do endorse victim blaming toward female victims of IPV. Further statistical analyses were preformed utilizing both linear regression and hierarchical multiple regression statistical design. Results showed that a significant positive linear relationship is found between participants' belief in a just world and victim blaming and that 8.3% of the variance in victim blame score are explained by the demographic values. The impact of victim blaming is discussed in regard to practice and training and suggestions are offered for professional counselors, counselor trainees, supervisors, and counselor education programs regarding the importance of self-awareness of the tendency to victim blame and the need for mindfulness when working with victims.