Cyber violence in romantic relationships encompasses a wide range of behaviors through digital means and can be classified into two types: cyber control, which refers to online abusive behaviors intended to control and monitor the partner (e.g., repeatedly sending messages to find out the partner's whereabouts or checking their mobile phone without permission), and direct cyber aggression, which involves behaviors aimed at deliberately harming the partner, such as insulting, threatening, or humiliating them through technology (e.g., sending sexually explicit photos of the partner without their consent via social media). Although both types are clear manifestations of cyber violence in relationships, they seem to demonstrate different intentions and impacts. Furthermore, the way young people experience cyber violence in their relationships varies based on gender. However, little is known about how youth perceive the cyber abuse behaviors they experience and what reasons they attribute to their partner's behavior.
From the Center for Research on Mind, Brain, and Behavior at the University of Granada (UGR), a group of researchers from the Social Psychology and Gender Lab (https://psygender-ugr.es/) and members of the Psychology of Social Problems group (HUM-289) have conducted research to examine the experiences of cyber violence in romantic relationships from the victim's perspective. Specifically, the study analyzed the differences that may exist in the perception of offense and severity of an incident of cyber violence, as well as the motivations that victims attribute to their partner's behavior based on: (a) the type of abuse, i.e., whether it is a case of direct cyber aggression vs. cyber control, and (b) the gender of the person experiencing it, male vs. female.
The main results showed that individuals who described an incident of victimization by direct cyber aggression perceived greater offense and severity than those who detailed a situation of victimization by cyber control. Additionally, those who reported an incident of direct cyber aggression (compared to those who narrated a cyber control incident) more frequently attributed their partner's behavior to frustration and anger, as well as to a sense of disinhibition experienced in the online context. In contrast, individuals recalling a situation of victimization by cyber control identified jealousy and certain personality traits of their partner (e.g., anxious attachment, emotional dependency) as the main causes of the incident. On the other hand, the results indicated that, in general, women expressed higher levels of perceived offense and severity than men. Furthermore, a greater percentage of men than women reported having experienced cyber violence in their relationship because they believed their partners were insecure and emotionally dependent. Conversely, a greater percentage of women than men reported experiencing cyber abusive behaviors because they believed their partners felt more disinhibited in the online context.
The results of this research contribute to understanding how young people interpret and perceive the cyber violence they experience in their relationships. Overall, the findings show that the perception of offense and severity of incidents of cyber violence, as well as the causal attribution victims make regarding their partner's behavior, can vary depending on the type of abuse suffered (direct cyber aggression vs. cyber control) and the gender of the person experiencing it (male vs. female). This work may encourage psychology professionals to develop specific interventions for victims of cyber violence in relationships, considering the specific characteristics of each type of abuse and the role of gender.
More detailed information about the research can be found in the following reference:
Sánchez-Hernández, M. D., Herrera, M. C., & Expósito, F. (2024). Perception of cyber dating abuse from the victims’ perspective: Effect of the type of suffered behavior and gender. *Current Psychology*, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-05985-8
Contact researchers:
M. Dolores Sánchez-Hernández (@email)
M. Carmen Herrera (@email)