To Screen or Not to Screen: Overreliance on Risk Without Protective Factors in Violence Research

Thurston and Howell discuss the study by Cohen et al predicting teen dating violence perpetration. They draw attention to the risks and benefits of using such a screening process in research and clinical work as well as to the need for a more balanced assessment of multilevel protective factors. And highlight the value of using syndemics (ie, the co-occurrence of multiple epidemics) as a guiding theory for future research on teen-aged dating violence. Although they clearly move the field forward with their broad evaluation of risk factors for physical and sexual perpetration, a more balanced assessment of functioning is necessary.