Better life skills linked to lower level of dating aggression in teens
February 10, 2026
Q & A with psychology doctoral student, Sean Morgan
Topic: a new study that looks at the more subtle forms of harm in romantic relationships. Co-authors include Dr. Paweena Sukhawathanakul, Department of Psychology.
Paper published in Sage Journal, “Longitudinal trajectories of romantic relational victimization and associations with mastery across adolescence to young adulthood.”
Please explain the purpose of your study
According to our new study, subtle forms of harm in romantic relationships often begin early and can persist into young adulthood says psychology doctoral student, Sean Morgan.
“I examined how these experiences develop over time and how they relate to feelings of competence and personal control,” says Morgan.
The research focuses on behaviours such as controlling a partner, social exclusion, and emotional manipulation—acts that are frequently minimized or ignored but can have lasting effects on mental health and relationship development.
“We refer to these behaviours as romantic relational victimization, a term used to describe covert actions intended to control or manipulate a partner,” says Morgan.
While these experiences are especially common during adolescence and early dating, they often go unrecognized. Previous research suggests that such patterns can intensify over time, sometimes leading to more overt forms of violence, including physical aggression.
By tracking how relational victimization changes from adolescence into young adulthood, the study aims to identify early warning signs and pinpoint moments when prevention and intervention efforts may be most effective.
What are some of the goals of your study?
This study set out to track how young people’s experiences of romantic relational victimization change over time, asking whether distinct developmental patterns emerge from adolescence into young adulthood. It also explored how these patterns connect to well-being, with a focus on young people’s sense of competence, control, and ability to manage their social worlds. Finally, the research sought to pinpoint risk and protective factors, with the goal of informing prevention strategies and guiding early intervention efforts.
What were the key findings of your research?
Most young people reported little to no romantic relational victimization over time. However, we identified two distinct groups who experienced elevated risk during different periods. One group experienced higher victimization during adolescence that declined into young adulthood, while another experienced minimal victimization during adolescence but increased reports of victimization in young adulthood. A key finding was that individuals with lower environmental mastery, defined as feeling less able to manage life demands or influence one’s environment, were more likely to experience these harmful relationship patterns.
How does your research help people?
The research shows that harm in romantic relationships does not occur in the same way for everyone, nor does it emerge at a single point in development. By understanding when risk is higher, the findings offer guidance for more targeted prevention and support efforts. Programs that strengthen confidence, decision-making skills, and a sense of personal control may be especially effective during key transitions, including adolescence and the move into early adulthood.
In particular, the study suggests that preventing declines in environmental mastery—the feeling that one can manage life’s demands and influence outcomes—may help reduce vulnerability to romantic relational victimization. Teaching skills about managing stress and coping with periods of change can help young people with transitions like leaving home, starting post-secondary education or entering the workforce.
Did you learn anything surprising or unexpected?
One unexpected finding was that changes in a young person’s sense of capability over time proved more influential than their initial levels of confidence or control. This finding suggests that risk is not fixed: strengthening skills, resources, and social supports—even later in development—may still play an important role in reducing the likelihood of harmful relationship experiences.