The Relationship Between Family of Origin Violence and Dating Violence in College Men

Abstract

The study evaluated the association between witnessing interparental violence as a child, being a victim of parental physical violence, and perpetrating violence in dating relationships. Witnessing interparental violence predicted the perpetration of physical dating violence in college men but not sexual aggression. However, attitudes supporting intimate partner violence were predictive of sexual aggression. In contrast to earlier studies, experiencing child abuse by a parental figure and adult perpetration were not significantly correlated. These findings support previous research that witnessing interparental violence has a detrimental effect and may lead to violent perpetration as an adult. Additional research is warranted to further isolate childhood variables that lead to specific types and levels of adult perpetration.