what issue is often at the root of dating abuse/domestic violence?

Brief Explanations:

Dating abuse and domestic violence are fundamentally driven by a desire for power and control. While factors like stress, substance abuse, or anger management issues can exacerbate the situation, they are not the root causes. The core dynamic involves one partner attempting to establish and maintain dominance over the other through various forms of intimidation, coercion, and manipulation. This is often conceptualized in social sciences through the "Power and Control Wheel," which illustrates how physical and sexual violence are used to reinforce a system of behaviors designed to strip the victim of their autonomy.

Answer:

The need for power and control.