The Relationship Between Child Maltreatment and Partner Violence Victimization and Perpetration Among College Students

Abstract

Partner violence is a pervasive public health concern that has received significant attention over the past three decades. Although a number of studies have reported that college students who are Deaf or hard of hearing are at an increased risk of experiencing partner violence compared with their hearing counterparts, little is known about partner violence perpetration among college students who are Deaf or hard of hearing. Furthermore, beyond disability, studies examining partner violence among students with disabilities tend to ignore other potential risk factors that may increase the risk of partner violence as a victim and/or a perpetrator. This exploratory study examines the extent of partner violence among male and female college students by auditory status and the relationship between experiencing and perpetrating partner abuse (i.e., physical abuse and psychological abuse) and child maltreatment (i.e., witnessing abuse and experiencing child physical abuse). The study also examines gender differences in the relationship between child maltreatment and physical and psychological abuse victimization and perpetration. Data were collected from a sample of approximately 680 college students at a northeastern university. Findings indicate that having witnessed interparental abuse as a child was only significant for being an adult victim of physical abuse. Having been a child victim of parental abuse was not significant for any of the abuse measures. Gender was only significant for being an adult victim of physical abuse. Deaf students were significantly more likely to report all abuse measures. Implications and directions for further research are discussed.

“I faced so many barriers”: Access to support for deaf female survivors of domestic violence in the UK

“…There has been a historical lack of access to comprehensive sexual health information among deaf communities, which is recognised as a further contributory risk factor linked to increased incidence of DV (Obinna et al 2005;Anderson, Leigh & Samar 2011;McQuiller Williams & Porter 2015;Crowe 2017). Furthermore, the dearth of information available in sign language can contribute to lack of understanding of what actually constitutes DV (Anderson & Kobek Pezzarossi 2012;Mastrocinque et al 2022).…”

“…doi.org/10.7203/Just.3.27933 Access to support for deaf female survivors of domestic violence in the UK language to ensure the full inclusion and empowerment of deaf female survivors, which is a gap also noted in other countries(Obinna et al 2005;Anderson, Leigh & Samar 2011;Schröttle & Glammeier 2013;McQuiller Williams & Porter 2015;Crowe 2017;Fries 2020;Schügerl 2023). …”

Understanding Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Involving the Deaf Population

“…Risk factors for IPV in the deaf population include communication barriers which can lead to abuse in both intimate and parent-child relationships (M. L. Anderson & Kobek Pezzarossi, 2014;Durity et al, 2004;Knutson NP700 Journal of Interpersonal Violence 37(1-2) Mastrocinque et al 5 et al, 2004). While research exists regarding the IGT of violence in the general population, limited research explores this issue in the deaf and hard-ofhearing population, except for one study of college students stating that witnessing or experiencing abuse did not correlate with perpetrating physical violence (McQuiller Williams & Porter, 2015).…”

Intimate Partner Violence Among Help-Seeking Deaf Women: An Empirical Study

“…Although Deaf women are subject to heightened rates of IPV compared with hearing women (Anderson & Leigh, 2011; McQuiller Williams & Porter, 2015; Pollard, Sutter, & Cerulli, 2014; Porter & McQuiller Williams, 2011, 2013), few investigations of IPV have focused specifically on Deaf and hard of hearing women. Consequently, hearing service providers lack awareness of the problem, and services equipped to meet the needs of Deaf women are scarce (Anderson, Leigh, & Samar, 2011).…”

“…Additional studies have sampled specific populations, such as Deaf women receiving outpatient mental health services, and found lifetime rates of physical abuse as high as 56% (Johnston-McCabe, Levi-Minzi, Van Hasselt, & Vanderbeek, 2011). Although these studies have done much to advance research on IPV within the Deaf community, most have focused specifically on Deaf and hard of hearing college students (e.g., Anderson & Kobek Pezzarossi, 2012; Anderson & Leigh, 2011; Mason, 2010; McQuiller Williams & Porter, 2014; McQuiller Williams & Porter, 2015; Porter & McQuiller Williams, 2011, 2013; Schenkel et al, 2014). To determine the impact of IPV on the Deaf community throughout the life course, research must include broader samples.…”