Teen dating violence victims feel effects for years

9:50 AM, Dec 10, 2012   |    comments
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UNDATED (CNN) -- Teenage victims of dating violence feel the effects for years to come according to a new study in the latest issue of the journal Pediatrics.

Researchers surveyed 12 to 18-year-olds who were experiencing physical and psychological abuse and followed up five years later.

They found that girls who were victims as teens were more likely to suffer from depression, weight problems, thoughts of suicide and heavy drinking and smoking when they were older.

And boys who were victims became anti-social, had thoughts of suicide and used more marijuana.

Experts say the findings give teachers and parents more reason to look for signs of trouble in their teen's relationship.