A Methodological Review and Critique of the “Intergenerational Transmission of Violence” Literature

Abstract

Exposure to interpersonal or interparental violence (EIPV) and child abuse and maltreatment (CAM) are associated with an increased risk of maladaptive outcomes, including later involvement in adulthood intimate partner violence (IPV; often referred to as the theory of intergenerational transmission of violence). Recent meta-analyses, however, have documented a weak effect size when examining this association. By focusing on young adulthood, a development stage in which identity development and romantic relationship formation are salient tasks, we can provide insight into the association between EIPV, CAM, and IPV. Guided by the methodological critiques from the IPV and EIPV literatures, the present study reviewed the methodology used in 16 studies (published between 2002 and 2016) that tested the theory of intergenerational transmission of violence. The review study focused on how EIPV, CAM, and young adult dating violence were measured and analyzed, with the initial goal of better understanding how methodological decision informed the study's findings. Ultimately, we determined that there was simply too much methodological variability and yet too little methodological complexity to truly inform a review and discussion of the results; therefore, our review solely focused on the study's methodological decisions. Based on our review, we suggest that both of these challenges, too much variability and too little complexity, hinder our ability to examine the theory of intergenerational transmission of violence. Future research must strike a balance between methodological consistency and complexity to better understand the intricate nuances of IPV experiences and inform practice.

Comparisons of Types of Exposure to Violence Within and Across Contexts in Predicting the Perpetration of Dating Aggression

“…Previous studies suggest that early exposure to violence can contribute to later perpetration of dating aggression among youth (see Haselschwerdt et al, 2017 for a review of the literature). But it remains unknown whether the effects of exposure to violence on later reports of perpetrating dating aggression vary based on whether adolescents witnessed or were victims of violence within a social context.…”

“…Although often challenged, the notion that many perpetrators of violence were exposed to violence as youth is well accepted in the literature (Gomez, 2011;Widom, 1989). This explanation has also been used to examine the phenomenon of dating aggression (i.e., aggressive behaviors expressed within the context of romantic relationships) among adolescents and young adults (see Haselschwerdt, Savasuk-Luxton, & Hlavaty, 2017 for a review of the literature).…”

Lifespan and Intergenerational Promotive and Protective Factors Against the Transmission of Interpersonal Violence in Diverse Families

“…The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that the annual cost of child maltreatment is approximately $124,000 billion dollars when accounting for lifetime consequences such as health, financial, legal, and societal problems (CDC 2018a). Moreover, clear definitions of childhood maltreatment as well as exposure to IPV are important, as these bodies of literature are often plagued by vague or unclear terminology (Haselschwerdt et al 2017). Child maltreatment typically refers to five subtypes, including physical abuse (e.g., intentionally using physical force against a child, resulting in injury), sexual abuse (e.g., molesting, raping, or exposing a child to pornographic material), emotional abuse (e.g., shaming, insulting, or humiliating a child), physical neglect (e.g., not feeding or clothing a child; preventing or withholding medical, dental, or educational services; or exposing a child to hazardous, toxic, or unsanitary living conditions), and emotional neglect (e.g., withholding love or affection or being psychologically unavailable (CDC 2018b)).…”

“…Childhood maltreatment and exposure to IPV often contribute to aggressive and violent experiences and behavior in adulthood (Haselschwerdt et al 2017;Sroufe et al 2005). Researchers invoke multiple theoretical frameworks to explain these phenomena.…”

“…Research has documented that actual rates of intergenerational transmission of maltreatment are often weak to modest. Whereas the majority of parents who maltreat their children were maltreated themselves as children, the majority of children who were maltreated do not go on to maltreat their own offspring when they become parents (Ertem et al 2000;Haselschwerdt et al 2017;Kaufman and Zigler 1987). Fully prospective studies, many of which are reviewed in the previous section, demonstrate that maltreatment is more often discontinuous, rather than continuous, across generations.…”