Childhood Exposure to Partner Violence as a Moderator of Current Partner Violence and Negative Parenting

Violence Against Women. 2020 Jun;26(8):851-869. doi: 10.1177/1077801219847291. Epub 2019 May 17.

Abstract

This study examined the interactive effect of mothers' exposure to caregiver intimate partner violence (IPV) during childhood and the amount of violence experienced with a current partner on negative parenting practices. Mothers (N = 119) were recruited from community sites serving individuals experiencing IPV. Findings indicated that the following childhood IPV exposure variables moderated the association between current IPV severity and negative parenting practices: total types of IPV witnessed (B = 0.01, t = 2.65, p < .01), witnessing sexual IPV (B = 0.02, t = 2.16, p < .05), and witnessing psychological IPV (B = 0.03, t = 2.79, p < .01). Results highlight the intergenerational effect of violence and the importance of addressing trauma across the family system.

Keywords: cyclical IPV; domestic violence; intergenerational violence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / psychology*
  • Child
  • Child Abuse / psychology*
  • Crime Victims / psychology
  • Domestic Violence
  • Family Characteristics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intimate Partner Violence*
  • Middle Aged
  • Mothers*
  • Parenting*
  • Psychological Trauma / etiology*
  • Violence*
  • Young Adult