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Child abuse and neglect and intimate partner violence victimization and perpetration: a prospective investigation

Cathy Spatz Widom1, Sally Czaja1, Mary Ann Dutton2

  • 1Psychology Department, John Jay College, City University of New York, New York City, NY, USA.

Child Abuse & Neglect
|December 12, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Childhood abuse and neglect increase the risk of adult intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization, particularly severe forms involving physical injury. Histories of maltreatment also correlate with increased IPV perpetration, especially for neglectful cases.

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Public Health
  • Sociology

Background:

  • Child maltreatment, including abuse and neglect, is a significant public health concern with potential long-term consequences.
  • Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive issue affecting individuals across various demographics.
  • Understanding the intergenerational cycle of violence is crucial for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the long-term effects of childhood abuse and neglect (CAN) on intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and perpetration in adulthood.
  • To determine if specific types of child maltreatment predict increased risk for different forms of IPV victimization and perpetration.
  • To investigate sex differences in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and adult IPV.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study design.
  • Matching of children with documented histories of physical/sexual abuse and/or neglect (n=497) with controls (n=395).
  • Assessment of IPV victimization and perpetration (psychological abuse, physical violence, sexual violence, injury) in middle adulthood (mean age=39.5).

Main Results:

  • Over 80% of both childhood abuse/neglect and control groups reported IPV victimization in the past year; approximately 75% reported IPV perpetration.
  • Childhood abuse and neglect significantly predicted increased risk for IPV victimization involving physical injury.
  • Child maltreatment predicted a greater number and variety of IPV acts, and neglect predicted perpetration of physical injury. Abused/neglected females were more likely to report partner-related injury.

Conclusions:

  • Child maltreatment is a significant risk factor for adult intimate partner violence, especially severe forms involving physical injury.
  • Individuals with histories of child neglect require increased attention for both IPV victimization and perpetration.
  • Findings underscore the importance of addressing childhood trauma to mitigate long-term risks of intimate partner violence.

Keywords:
Child abuseIntimate partner violenceNeglectPerpetrationPhysical injurySexual abuseVictimization

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