Adverse Childhood Experiences, Intimate Partner Violence, and Communication Quality in a College-Aged Sample

Abstract

Previous adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) research focused on the future effects of intimate partner violence (IPV) among adult men, as well as victimization patterns. Continuing evidence is needed informing how ACEs, communication, and IPV may emerge within the intimate partnerships of 18–24 year olds. The present study addresses a literature gap by investigating ACEs in relation to relationship communication quality and IPV, considering not only victimization but also perpetration. An online survey was distributed through social media outlets targeting college-aged adults ( n = 228). Men were more likely to perpetrate and be victimized by IPV than women in the sample. However, both sexes had moderate associations between ACES and victimization as well as perpetration of physical, emotional, sexual, and cyber abuse. Poor communication quality was associated with ACEs and most forms of abuse experienced in the last year. Continued investigation of this topic is warranted to understand mechanisms for effective treatment and skill development.

Associations between Adverse Childhood Experiences within the Family Context and In-Person and Online Dating Violence in Adulthood: A Scoping Review

“…Most of the reviewed research found no significant associations [ 40 , 59 , 72 , 73 ]. However, Baller and Lewis [ 74 ] found that greater exposure to psychological abuse during childhood was associated with higher perpetration of physical dating violence. By contrast, more studies reported a positive association between childhood psychological/emotional abuse and physical dating victimisation [ 40 , 63 , 74 ].…”

“…Six studies (18.7%) examined other adverse childhood experiences in relation to physical dating violence. Perpetration was positively associated with experience of abuse in dysfunctional homes [ 74 ], the quality of the maternal relationship [ 70 , 78 ], and growing up with an incarcerated caregiver [ 76 ]. However, no positive relationships have been found with other ACEs, such as the quality of the relationship with the father, inconsistent discipline [ 70 ], or punitive discipline during childhood [ 66 ].…”

“…Eight studies (25%) investigated the association between childhood psychological/emotional abuse and psychological dating abuse. Fewer studies found a positive association with the perpetration of psychological and emotional dating violence [ 68 , 73 , 74 ] than those that found no association [ 40 , 54 , 59 , 76 ]. Of the studies that examined victimisation, most found that emotional abuse is associated with increased psychological abuse victimisation [ 40 , 63 , 73 , 74 ].…”

“…Fewer studies found a positive association with the perpetration of psychological and emotional dating violence [ 68 , 73 , 74 ] than those that found no association [ 40 , 54 , 59 , 76 ]. Of the studies that examined victimisation, most found that emotional abuse is associated with increased psychological abuse victimisation [ 40 , 63 , 73 , 74 ]. However, not all studies reported this association [ 76 ].…”

“…Five studies (15.6%) analysed childhood neglect and its relationship to dating violence. Longitudinal [ 63 ] and cross-sectional studies [ 74 ] found that emotional and physical neglect was associated with psychological perpetration or victimisation in both sexes. However, other studies did not find this same association for either perpetration [ 59 , 76 ] or victimisation [ 73 ].…”