Prospective Analysis of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adults' Physical Intimate Partner Violence Victimization

Research suggests that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increase the risk for intimate partner violence (IPV). Yet few studies have considered a broad range of concurrent risk factors for relationship violence in their analysis. This study used two waves of data from the Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study (TARS), collected in 2001 and 2018-2020, to assess the cumulative effects of ACEs reported on during adolescence on physical IPV victimization 17 years later in adulthood among 855 respondents (369 men and 486 women), while also accounting for proximal risk factors. Results from logistic regression analyses revealed that the number of childhood adversities experienced significantly influenced physical IPV victimization, accounting for proximal risks. Both respondents' and partners' sociodemographic characteristics and histories of violence with previous partners were also significant correlates, as were respondents' psychological correlates and partners' substance use. We conclude that childhood adversity is significantly correlated with being physically victimized by a romantic partner in adulthood, even when more proximal risk factors for relationship violence are considered. Implications for practitioners working with individuals who have experienced partner violence are discussed and suggestions for future research are provided.