An in-Depth Look at Individual Associations between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Intimate Partner Violence Severity in Adulthood

Background/Purpose: An extensive body of research has established the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and intimate partner violence (IPV) in adulthood. Communities of color bear a greater burden of ACEs and subsequent health disparities due to structural inequalities evident in society, yet less research has examined the ACEs-IPV link with these communities, especially with boys and men. Though previous research has examined the number or categories of ACEs, the individual impact of specific ACEs remains limited to certain forms of maltreatment (e.g., physical abuse). Given that previous research has illuminated the varied experiences of ACEs among communities of color (e.g., community violence), a comprehensive examination of the individual ACEs and their association with different types of IPV in adulthood is warranted. Thus, the relationship between individual ACEs and the severity of IPV perpetration and victimization across subtypes was examined with socioeconomically disadvantaged men of color in a batterer intervention program (BIP). 

Method: Data were collected cross-sectionally from 67 predominantly (76%) Black, low-income men referred to a BIP. ACEs were assessed using an extended version of the ACE questionnaire, including the 10 original items and 11 additional items (e.g., violent crime, bullying). IPV perpetration and victimization was measured using the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale according to type (psychological, physical, sexual, and injury). Using an established method, a severity score was created for each subtype with 0= none, 1= mild, 2= severe. Chi-Square Tests of Independence were employed to test the associations between each individual ACE and each IPV type by severity.  

Results: Overall, there were six ACEs associated with at least one type of severe IPV. Childhood psychological abuse was significantly associated with severe IPV across all types for perpetrationand victimization in adulthood (V= .30 to .49). Childhood physical abuse was significantly associated with severe IPV victimization in adulthood, specifically physical, psychological, and injury (V= .37 to .38). Witnessing IPV in childhood was significantly associated with severe physical, sexual, and injury victimization in adulthood (V= .41 to .44). Having an incarcerated family member during childhood was associated with severe physical IPV victimization in adulthood (V= .47). Childhood bullying was significantly associated with severe psychological IPV perpetration and sexual and psychological victimization (V= .34 to .38). Being a victim of violent crime in childhood was significantly associated with severe psychological and sexual IPV victimization in adulthood (V= .33 to .39).

Discussion: When examined individually, ACEs had more associations with severe IPV victimization than severe perpetration. Only two ACEs (psychological abuse and bullying) were associated with any type of severe perpetration. Furthermore, psychological abuse was the only ACE associated with all types of severe IPV perpetration and victimization. Though preliminary, these findings suggest the importance of assessing the ACEs-IPV relationship not only in terms of the cumulative effect of ACEs, but also by individual ACE, as certain ACEs may have a more profound impact on certain types of severe IPV in adulthood. In doing so, the results could then be used to inform potential targeted prevention or intervention programs for boys/men.