2020 Volume 15 Issue 1 Pages 52-57
Possessiveness in the relationships of many young couples is one of the factors related to dating violence. Young people think that it is natural to control their partners and believe that possessiveness is proof of love.
The purpose of this study was to examine the association between possessive relationships and perspective on violence in relationships, as well as to examine the mental factors that influence 839 Japanese high school students in possessive relationships. We found that both males and females in possessive relationships tend not to recognize what constitutes violence. A lower sense of authenticity tends to influence a woman's dependency on her companion, which was related to possessive relationships with women's partners. Conversely, only a man's dependency on their companion was related to possessive relationships.
On gender differences, men were involved in possessive relationships more than women, although women expressed a relatively stronger dependency on their companions. In addition, men tend to recognize what constitutes violence more than women.
In conclusion, our findings suggest that we need to develop preventive programs against dating violence which could lead young adults to have independent and self-reliant relationships with their partners in the future.
