Background Adolescent dating violence is an increasing public health problem, viewed in line with the ecological model of influence of different factor. Studies have found that 16% to 90% of adolescents have experienced some form of violence from a dating partner. The study objective was to examine the predictors for higher level of psychological dating violence victimisation and perpetration groups in male and female adolescents, such as: with substance use, self-esteem, hostility, conflict resolution skills, gender stereotypes and acceptance of violence.

Methods The convenient sample of 410 students from general/vocational high schools responded to a self-admistrated 7 scales questionnaire. Informed consent and parent consent were provided for adolescents below 18 years prior. The two groups were divided according to the level of prevalence of psychological victimisation and perpetration into mild and higher. The Cronbach’s Alpha of the scales varied from 0.72 to 0.80. Statistical analysis involved descriptive statistics and logistic regression.

Results A logistic regression analysis performed predicted that: lower self-esteem (r = −0.077, p < 0.05), hostility (r = 0.028, p < 0.05), and acceptance of violence (r = 0.098, p < 0.05) increase one time more the likelihood for psychological dating violence victimisation in male adolescents. Psychological dating violence victimisation in female adolescents was significantly predicted by: substance use (r = 0.161, p < 0.05) and acceptance of violence (r = 0.226, p < 0.01). Psychological dating violence victimisation in male adolescents is significantly distinguished by the predictors such as: substance use (r = 0 .188, p < 0.05) and acceptance of violence (r = 0.286, p < 0.01), while in female adolescents is the acceptance of violence (r = 0.349, p < 0.01), increasing the likelihood for 1.4 for times more for psychological dating violence victimisation.

Conclusions Targeting various risk factors should anticipate analysis while designing violence preventive programmes and intervention targeting adolescents.