I2a

THE DEVELOPMENTAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHILD MALTREATMENT, YOUTH VIOLENCE AND INTIMATE  PARTNER VIOLENCE

Presenters: Xiangming Fang

Abstract Category: Research

Instruction Level: Intermediate

Presentation: Click Here

Description:

The developmental relationships between three forms of child maltreatment, youth violence perpetration or victimization, and young adult intimate partner violence perpetration or victimization.

Abstract:

Background: Understanding the cycle of violence, from victimization to perpetration across the lifespan, is critical for designing successful prevention interventions. This study uses a nationally representative sample to examine the developmental relationships between three forms of child maltreatment (CM), youth violence (YV) perpetration or victimization, and young adult intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration or victimization.

Methods: Data describing self-reported YV perpetration (or victimization) from Wave I of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (1994-1995) were matched with self-reported IPV perpetration (or victimization) within young adult sexual relationships and retrospective reports of CM collected during Wave III (2001-2002). Bivariate probit regression models were used to analyze the developmental relationships between CM, YV, and IPV.

Results: Compared to non-victims of CM, victims of CM are more likely to perpetrate YV (a likelihood increase ranging -1.2% to 6.62% for females and 3.7% to 11.9% for males) and young adult IPV (an increase from 8.7% to 10.4% for females and from 1.3% to 17.2% for males), although the direct and indirect effects vary by type of CM experienced. Less of an effect of CM on YV or IPV victimization was found. For either pathway, however, gender differences exist in the link between CM, YV and IPV, and in the effects of socio-economic factors on YV and IPV.

Conclusions: Results suggest it may be important to account for gender differences when designing violence prevention programs and an integrative approach is critical for stopping the developmental trajectory of violence.