The Impact of State Violence on Interpersonal Violence among Young Adults

This study, rooted in the Bioecological Systems and Cultural Spillover theories, explores the factors influencing interpersonal violence development. Analyzing data from 4,167 men (mean age = 20.67, SD = 1.71) and 9,969 women (mean age = 20.42, SD = 1.70), the model tests the influence of sex, childhood aggression, self-control, violent peers, violent parenting, violence approval, state violence, and militarization on interpersonal violence. Linear Mixed-Effects Models revealed that interpersonal violence is positively associated with childhood aggression, violent peers, violent parenting, and violence approval; and it is negatively associated with self-control. State violence and militarization indirectly affect interpersonal violence through violent parenting and violence approval. The findings underscore the complex interplay of individual and societal factors in shaping interpersonal violence.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40653-025-00731-z.