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Intergenerational Transmission of Violence: the Influence of Self-Appraisals, Mental Disorders and Substance Abuse

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Abstract

Although research has demonstrated connections between experiencing abuse as a child and being in a violent relationship as an adult, the specific mechanisms through which this transmission occurs are unclear. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between certain personal factors (self-appraisals and mental/substance use disorders) and experiencing violence as an adult. Data from the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS) 1990–1992 were utilized. Respondents who reported experiencing childhood abuse or victimization and were in a current intimate partnership (N = 590) were selected for analysis. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that low self-esteem, past year PTSD, and past year alcohol dependence were significantly associated with intimate partner violence after controlling for other self-appraisals and mental disorders.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Human Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409-1210, USA

    Jason B. Whiting, Douglas B. Smith & Megan Oka

  2. Departments of Family Studies and Health Services Management, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA

    Leigh Ann Simmons

  3. Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA

    Jennifer R. Havens

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  1. Jason B. Whiting
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  2. Leigh Ann Simmons
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  3. Jennifer R. Havens
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  4. Douglas B. Smith
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  5. Megan Oka
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Correspondence to Jason B. Whiting.

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Whiting, J.B., Simmons, L.A., Havens, J.R. et al. Intergenerational Transmission of Violence: the Influence of Self-Appraisals, Mental Disorders and Substance Abuse. J Fam Viol 24, 639–648 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-009-9262-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-009-9262-3

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