Intergenerational Continuities and Discontinuities in Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

This study focuses on intergenerational continuity in violent partner relationships. We investigate whether exposure to caregiver intimate partner violence (IPV) during adolescence leads to increased involvement in IPV during early adulthood (age 21-23) and adulthood (age 29-31). We also investigate whether this relationship differs by gender. Although there is theoretical and empirical support for intergenerational continuity of relationship violence, there are few prospective studies of this issue. We use data from the Rochester Youth Development Study (RYDS), a longitudinal study of the development of antisocial behavior in a community sample of 1,000 urban youth followed from age 14 to adulthood. The original sample includes 73% men and 85% African American or Hispanic youth. Measures come from a combination of interviews and official records. The Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS) is used to assess IPV and severe IPV in the youth and parent generations. Analyses controlled for child physical abuse, race/ethnicity as well as parent education, family stability, and poverty. In multivariate models, adolescent exposure to caregiver severe IPV resulted in significantly increased risk of relationship violence in early adulthood (age 21-23). Furthermore, there is an indirect effect of adolescent exposure to severe IPV on later adult involvement in IPV (age 29-31), mediated by involvement in a violent relationship in early adulthood. These results were largely invariant by gender. However, we observed a direct pathway between IPV exposure and adult IPV for women (marginally significant) suggesting that adolescent exposure to caregiver IPV may set in motion women-specific processes.

TANF Participation and Intimate Partner Violence: Exploring Barriers to Self-Sufficiency

“…Studies on the intergenerational transmission of violence indicate that exposure to interpersonal violence in the household during childhood can have lasting effects (Smith et al, 2011). Exposure to IPV in childhood has been shown to increase the likelihood of becoming a perpetrator of IPV, a victim of IPV, or both during early adulthood (Smith et al, 2011).…”

“…Exposure to IPV in childhood has been shown to increase the likelihood of becoming a perpetrator of IPV, a victim of IPV, or both during early adulthood (Smith et al, 2011). Additionally, children who witness IPV are more likely to have increased instances of psychiatric disorders, alcohol abuse, and issues with anger expression in adulthood (Armour & Sleath, 2014).…”

The Effects of Parental Divorce on the Intergenerational Transmission of Crime

“…Evidence for transmission of violence has also been found for specific forms of violence, such as child maltreatment [34,35] and intimate partner violence [36]. Convictions for violent crime are also transmitted from father to son [26,37] and between other family members [38].…”

A Latent Class Approach to Understanding the Intergenerational Transmission of Violence in Emerging Adult Relationships

“…Prospective and retrospective data provide support for links between varying forms of maltreatment and varying forms of intimate partner violence. Research on emerging adults using longitudinal designs shows that exposure to interparental violence is related to psychological and physical intimate partner violence perpetration and victimization (Cui, Durtschi, Donnellan, Lorenz, & Conger, 2010;Fergusson, Boden, & Horwood, 2006;Smith, Ireland, Park, Elwyn, & Thornberry, 2011). Further, there is evidence that experiences of physical maltreatment and neglect in childhood are related to reported injuries sustained through intimate partner violence (Ehrensaft et al, 2003).…”