Childhood Maltreatment as Risk Markers for Intimate Partner Sexual Violence: A Meta-Analysis

Intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) is a devastating yet often overlooked form of violence around the world. Using social learning theory to guide our study, we examined childhood maltreatment risk factors for IPSV victimization and perpetration among men and women. We searched several databases (PsychInfo, Proquest, Sociological Abstracts, Social Service Abstracts, ERIC, and Proquest Dissertation and Theses) to obtain studies for this meta-analysis. Studies were included in the current meta-analysis if they adhered to the following criteria: (a) examined IPSV exclusively, not combined with other IPV forms, (b) examined risk factors associated with childhood maltreatment in relation to IPSV, (c) reported statistical data to be included in meta-analysis, (d) involved adult samples, (e) were written in English, and (f) were published between 2000 and 2025. A total of 34 studies were included in this meta-analysis. Using a random-effects approach, results revealed that several forms of child abuse victimization (i.e., sexual, physical, and emotional) and witnessing parental IPV were identified as significant risk markers of IPSV perpetration and victimization for both men and women. Our findings also revealed that all forms of child abuse victimization were more strongly associated with IPSV perpetration and victimization for women, compared to men. Altogether, this study demonstrates that patterns of violence that are socialized and reinforced in one's family of origin have implications for IPSV in adult intimate relationships.