Variation in Exposure to Violence in Early Adolescence Distinguishes between Intimate Partner Violence Victimization and Perpetration among Young Men Involved in the Justice System

Abstract

Early exposure to violence (ETV) has been repeatedly linked to violence in intimate relationships later in life. However, this association has rarely been explored among young men involved in the justice system, a group that is of significant policy concern. Methods. Drawing from four waves of data collected from 808 young men with histories of serious offending, this study examined rates of physical and emotional intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and perpetration. Next, the rates of IPV victimization-perpetration overlap were examined. Lastly, the associations between IPV in young adulthood and ETV in early adolescence were explored using standard difference-in-means tests. Findings show that victimization and perpetration of emotional IPV are common experiences among the men. Seventy-three percent of the sample report emotional IPV victimization and 70% report emotional IPV perpetration. Physical IPV is less common than emotional IPV with 44% of young men reporting being victims of physical IPV and 29% reporting perpetration of physical IPV. Strong linkages were observed between IPV victimization and IPV perpetration. Lastly, associations exist between exposure to violence as a witness or a victim and both emotional and physical IPV victimization and perpetration. IPV involvement as a victim and/or perpetrator is more common than not among young men involved in the justice system. Both emotional and physical forms of IPV are associated with witnessing and experiencing violence during adolescence. Intervention during adolescence is critical to avoid IPV during young adulthood.

A comparative study of intimate partner violence among U.S.‐born and foreign‐born Hispanic women

“…Further research is needed to understand how structural factors, cultural context, and immigration status affect the prevalence of IPV among Hispanic women living in the United States. Other risk factors for IPV, such as a history of violence exposure in women's families of origin by witnessing violence between parents or in the form of child abuse victimization, should also be examined in future research (Wagers et al 2021). It is critical to conduct comparative analyses in order to understand the experiences of minority IPV victims living more fully in the United States.…”

When State Violence Comes Home: From Criminal Legal System Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence in a Time of Mass Incarceration

“…Thus, various forms of CJS contact may be considered as exposures to violence. Exposure to violence is a robust predictor of violence perpetration: Witnessing violence and being a victim of violence each promote the later use of violence against a partner in the general population (Costa et al, 2015; Schumacher et al, 2001) and among men involved in the CJS (Wagers et al, 2021). Exposure to violence produces complex neuroendocrine changes in youth and adults, with cascading implications for later family behavior (Keeshin et al, 2012).…”

The Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Aggression in Young Adulthood

“…There was shown a relationship between being intimate partner violence (IPV) victim and IPV perpetrator. Emotional and physical IPV are correlated with adolescences traumas due to violence (Wagers et al, 2021). In a study conducted by Brumley et al, the sample experienced at least one adverse childhood event, has significantly higher levels of problem behaviors (substance use, violent behavior and less optimistic future expectations) (Brumley et al, 2017).…”