53% of adolescents who suffer intimate partner violence also engage in it, according to a University study.

53% of adolescents who are victims of intimate partner violence also experience it, according to research developed by the Infinty: Family, Love and Sexualitygroup of the Institute for Culture and Society. Institute for Culture and Society of the University of Navarra. The study, presented at the conference 'Preventing violence in adolescents and young people and accompanying victims and perpetrators', held in Madrid, underlines the need for prevention in order to build healthy relationships free of violence. To do so, it is core topic to identify the signs and their consequences, as well as to work from the classrooms of educational centers, one of the spaces where adolescents spend a large part of their time.

The research stresses the importance of adolescence as a " core topic stage in the construction of affective relationships" because it is the time when "they develop their first love experiences, which influences their understanding of love and interpersonal relationships in adult life". The results reveal that 35% of adolescents have experienced or exercised psychological violence in their relationships, especially in the form of control, yelling or checking their cell phones, although other abusive behaviors such as social isolation and imposition of rules are also reported.

In terms of physical violence, approximately one in ten young people have suffered some form of aggression by a partner. Sexual violence, although less frequent (13%), takes multiple forms, from sending intimate content to sexual acts without consent. The work also reveals that adolescent partner violence intensifies with age, especially in its psychological and sexual forms. Young people between 15 and 18 years of age report more situations of control, emotional blackmail and sexual coercion.

In addition, having suffered bullying is related to a greater probability of suffering or exercising violence. Also the consumption of substances such as tobacco, cannabis, alcohol or drugs. These results were obtained from a sample of 3,524 adolescents in Spain (1,486 boys and 2,038 girls), of whom 612 boys and 793 girls reported having had or currently having a partner.

Prevention in the classroom

The research includes a preventionguide , aimed at schools and high schools, which proposes practical tools to detect and act in situations of violence, as well as strategies to promote relationships based on respect and equity. "To prevent any form of partner violence in adolescents, it is essential to work on emotional regulation strategies, develop emotional intelligence, self-esteem, empathy and assertiveness, as well as promote coexistence skills and tools that allow them to deal with conflict resolution and how to ask for financial aid," explains psychologist María Calatrava, a researcher at the Institute for Culture and Society.

Some of the techniques proposed are the emotional diary, a guided exercise that, through specific questions, seeks to promote awareness of emotions such as anger, fear or sadness; the creative expression of emotions, through writing or drawing what they feel; and the turtle technique, which proposes to students that, like this animal, when they feel danger, they "take refuge" in a symbolic shell to calm down and practice deep breathing.

The study highlights that, in order to achieve better results, the work carried out in the classroom must be reinforced by families at home and proposes two lines of work: "We seek to train parents to exercise their authority and know how to identify warning signs in their children," says Calatrava.

In this sense, he points out that "violence in adolescent couples usually manifests itself through excessive jealousy, control of cell phones and networks, pressure to give constant explanations and isolation from friends. There are also mood swings, anxiety when talking about the partner, repeated criticism or humiliation and signs of fear of antagonizing the partner. These patterns often go unnoticed at the beginning, but they are core topic indicators of a harmful relationship".if parents detect some of these signs, it is recommended to talk to them with a positive and affectionate attitude, be patient, promote awareness, encourage positive reinforcement, build a network of support among family and friends and ensure confidentiality and discretion.

- guide "research in adolescent partner violence".