Perceptions and predictors of dating violence among nursing and midwifery students: A cross sectional study from Turkey.

AIMS: To determine the prevalence and predictors of victimization and perpetration of dating violence among nursing and midwifery students.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional study design.

METHODS: The sample consisted of nursing and midwifery students (n = 603) at the largest state university in southeastern Turkey. Data were collected with a validated, investigator-designed survey instrument between September 2015 - January 2016.

FINDINGS: Most participants had been exposed to dating violence. Jealousy, controlling behavior and restrictions on another's social life were not perceived as violent behavior in dating relationships. There was no significant relationship of dating violence with gender, smoking, place of residence, or marijuana use. Exposure to parental violence and alcohol use were found to be the strongest predictors of being a perpetrator of violence in the dating violence perpetration model.

CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the lack of recognition of dating violence among nursing and midwifery students. The perceptions of students should be enriched by adding content on violent behaviors in the curriculum of nursing and midwifery programs.

IMPACT: Efforts to reduce and stop dating violence have a crucial role in preventing future violence in established relationships. We acknowledge that the prevalence of dating violence among nursing and midwifery students are high. Psychological and verbal violence are extremely common and most are not recognized as violent behaviors by the students. This study contributes the understanding of violent behaviors related to dating violence among nursing and midwifery students for establishing healthy relationship. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.