Characteristics of Cyber Violence among Young Intimate Partners: A Scoping Review

Abstract

The objective of this study is to analyze the scientific production on the characteristics of cyber violence among young and adolescent intimate partners. A scope review was conducted on the platforms PUBMED/Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, and PsycINFO. Primary, empirical, quantitative, and qualitative studies were selected. The analysis was carried out in the light of the gender analytical category. Twenty-one articles in English published between 2019 and 2022 were chosen, covering various databases, with eight in Scopus, six in CINAHL, five in PUBMED, and two in PsycINFO. Regarding the methodology, 16 articles were of quantitative nature, three were qualitative, and two used mixed methods. The analysis of these articles revealed that cyber violence is a reality faced by adolescents and young adults, regardless of gender, in different countries, and can occur in intimate or sexual relationships, involving behaviors of control, aggression, image-based sexual abuse, and harassment. Digital tools reproduce and amplify gender stereotypes, with physical, psychological, and economic impacts. Therefore, the gender category plays an important role in the analysis of the phenomenon. This study highlights the need for health actions focused on young people, including addressing cyber violence as an aspect to be approached, aiming to mitigate the negative impacts of this violence on their lives