Factors associated with abusive relationships among maltreated and nonmaltreated youth

Abstract

This study sought to understand how experiences of maltreatment occurring prior to 12 years of age affect adolescent peer and dating relationships. A school-based sample of 15-year-olds was divided into maltreated (n = 132) and nonmaltreated (n = 227) subgroups based on self-reported maltreatment. These two groups were then compared on two theoretically determined dimensions of adjustment (i.e., interpersonal sensitivity/hostility; personal resources) and self- and teacher-report measures of peer and dating relationships. Findings supported the hypothesis that maltreated youths significantly differed from nonmaltreated youths in terms of adjustment problems as well as conflict with dating partners and close friends. Maltreated youths reported significantly more verbal and physical abuse both toward and by their dating partners, and were seen by teachers as engaging in more acts of aggression and harassment toward others. In regression analyses, the significant association between maltreatment and dating conflict for males was strengthened by including adjustment dimensions in the equation; for females, adjustment variables mediated the association between maltreatment and dating conflict. Results are discussed in relation to a maladaptive interpersonal trajectory for maltreated children, wherein a violent interactional dynamic in adolescent close relationships may be setting the stage for violence in intimate partnerships.

Intergenerational transmission of partner violence: A 20-year prospective study.

“…As adolescents and emerging adults, they select their romantic partners from these groups of peers who are deficient in terms of interpersonal skills (Feiring & Furman, 2000) and experience conflictual romantic relationships (Downey & Feldman, 1996). Maltreatment may therefore be one pathway to involvement in conflictual, abusive romantic relationships (Wolfe, Wekerle, Reitzel-Jaffe, & Lefebvre, 1998).…”

Parental violence and adolescent mental health

“…Finzi et al [19] substantiated the specific role of parental violence as a source of internalizing problems, reporting that children who were exposed to parental violence had more depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviour compared not only to non maltreated children but also to neglected children. Physical maltreatment has also been found to be associated with problems in dating partners and making close friends [20].…”

Nipping psychopathy in the bud: an examination of the convergent, predictive, and theoretical utility of the PCL‐YV among adolescent girls

“…In the process of attempting to understand the potential of psychopathy research to inform the study of girls' aggression it is important to also consider domains of risk that have been highlighted as particularly relevant for girls. Within the larger developmental and clinical literature there is a large body of empirical evidence that links child maltreatment to youth violence (Fergusson & Lynskey, 1997;Smith & Thornberry, 1995;Widom & White, 1997) and a growing body of theoretical and empirical work linking maltreatment experiences and violence within the context of close relationships (Wekerle & Wolfe, 2003;Wolfe, Wekerle, Reitzel-Jaffe, & Lefebvre, 1998).…”