Association of Violence Against Partner and Former Victim Experiences: A Sample of Clients Voluntarily Attending Therapy

Abstract

The authors addressed the associations between childhood and adolescence victimization and partner violence in adulthood. Data were collected on 480 men voluntarily attending therapy with a semistructured interview that assessed (a) violent behavior, categorized as physical violence, physical controlling behavior, property violence, psychologically controlling behavior, psychological degradation, indirect aggression, or sexual violence and (b) victim experiences during childhood or adolescence, categorized as physical abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, or exposure to violence between family members. Prior victim experiences of family violence were reported by 60% of participants. Regression analyses showed that past victim experiences, especially physical abuse, was associated with adult violence ( p < .05). Specifically, physical abuse was associated with psychologically controlling behavior ( p < .05) and sexual abuse with sexual violence ( p < .05).