Risk factors for intimate partner violence and abuse among adolescents and young adults: findings from a UK population-based cohort

Abstract

Background: Approximately one-third of young people in the UK have suffered intimate partner violence and abuse (IPVA) on reaching adulthood. We need interventions to prevent IPVA in this population, but there is a lack of evidence on who is at greatest risk. Methods: We analysed questionnaire data from 3,279 participants of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children population-based birth cohort. We estimated the prevalence of IPVA victimisation and perpetration by age 21, by sex, demographic, parenting, mental health, externalising behaviour (e.g. smoking), educational, employment, and adverse childhood factors. Results: Overall, 29% of males and 41% of females reported IPVA victimisation, with 20% and 25% reporting perpetration, respectively (16% and 22% both). The most common type of IPVA was emotional, followed by physical, then sexual. History of anxiety, self-harm, anti-social behaviour, cannabis or illicit (non-cannabis) drug use, or risky sexual behaviour among males and females were associated with a 50% increase in likelihood of IPVA (victimisation or perpetration). Males reporting depression, sexual abuse (not by an intimate partner), witnessing domestic violence, or parental separation were also more likely to experience IPVA. Extreme parental monitoring, high academic achievement during adolescence, and NEET (not being in education, employment, or training) status in young adulthood were associated with reduced risks of IPVA. Conclusions: A range of demographic, mental health, and behavioural factors were associated with increased prevalence of IPVA victimisation or perpetration. Further study of likely complex pathways from these factors to IPVA, to inform primary prevention, is needed.

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

“…Seven studies (21.8%) measured dating violence as a global variable as opposed to examining different types of violence. These studies found that the perpetration of dating violence is related to various adverse childhood experiences: physical abuse [ 24 , 73 ], emotional abuse [ 24 , 73 ], sexual abuse [ 24 ], physical and emotional neglect [ 58 , 73 ], low parental warmth [ 58 ], parental mental illness, parental suicide attempt, parental criminal conviction, and parental separation [ 24 ]. However, some of these studies did not report a positive association between perpetration and sexual abuse [ 58 , 67 ], interparental violence, parental substance abuse [ 24 ], or violent socialisation in childhood [ 67 ].…”

“…These same studies reported a positive relationship between dating violence victimisation and adverse childhood experiences such as: physical abuse [ 24 , 51 , 58 , 64 , 73 ], emotional abuse [ 24 , 73 ], sexual abuse [ 24 , 39 , 51 , 64 ], physical and emotional neglect [ 49 , 67 ], witnessing interparental violence [ 24 , 51 ], low parental warmth [ 58 ], substance abuse, mental illness, suicide attempts, criminal conviction, and parental separation [ 24 ]. However, other studies did not support an association between dating violence victimisation and violent socialisation in childhood [ 67 ], sexual abuse [ 67 , 73 ], emotional neglect or interparental violence [ 24 ].…”

“…With respect to victimization, Herbert et al [ 24 ] showed that the risk of dating victimization for both sexes increases if adverse childhood experiences were experienced before the age of 16. However, they found that men who reported childhood sexual abuse, had witnessed domestic violence, or whose parents had separated were more likely to experience dating violence victimization than women who had experienced the same ACEs.…”

“…The emergence of dating violence as a form of intimate partner violence is linked to the onset of dating and sexual experimentation in early adolescence, between the ages of 10 and 14 [ 23 ]. As relationships become more serious and stable during adolescence, conflict may escalate with relational dynamics based on domination and aggression starting to emerge [ 24 , 25 ]. Dating violence mainly affects adolescents, but also occurs among adults.…”

Suspension of Criminal Proceedings for Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women: Impact on Re-Entries

“…The PSCP implementation request by the IPV victim must be made freely and clearly but all involved parties must agree. It is important to acknowledge whether risk factors identified in the literature were considered in this decision (Campbell et al, 2008;Messing et al, 2017;Herbert et al, 2021). Risk factors may include the type of violence inflicted, firearm access, personal perception of risk by victims, jealousy and possessiveness, stalking and threats, mental disorder, substance abuse, and previous criminal record (Rodrigues et al, 2021;Vieira-Pinto et al, 2021).…”