A prospective longitudinal investigation of the intergenerational transmission of intimate partner violence stemming from childhood exposure to inter-parental violence.

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is the most common form of violence against women. One hypothesized risk factor for victimization in women is their childhood exposure to IPV, suggesting the intergenerational transmission of IPV behaviour and its acceptance. This project sought (1) To observe the variation in childhood exposure to inter-parental violence in terms of the timing, form, and duration of exposure and (2) How the observed variation influences susceptibility to future IPV victimization in young adulthood. Using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, this study found exposure to psychological inter-parental violence to be highly prevalent and that most females were only exposed in one developmental stage (most commonly: late childhood). Childhood exposure (0-8) to inter-parental violence was associated with the highest likelihood of experiencing IPV victimization in young adulthood. Although preliminary evidence of intergenerational transmission of IPV was found, future studies are required to validate findings.