Adverse Childhood Experiences and Intimate Partner Sexual Violence Among South Korean Adults: A Focus on Gender Differences

Background/Purpose: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are recognized as predictors of negative outcomes in adulthood, especially in relation to intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV). IPSV, defined as forced or coercive sexual acts within intimate relationships, poses serious physical and psychological risks. While previous studies have linked ACEs to increased risks of both IPSV victimization and perpetration, gender-specific pathways remain insufficiently examined. Men and women often experience different patterns of ACEs and pathways to IPSV, yet research has rarely addressed these differences, in part due to the influence of traditional gender norms and cultural stigma surrounding sexual violence. This study aims to explore the association between ACEs and IPSV, with an emphasis on gender-based differences.

Methods: Data were drawn from Interrelationship of Violence Exposure Across the Life Cycle Study, conducted by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs in 2017. The dataset includes married individuals aged 19 to 59 years, selected from census-based enumeration areas. Thirteen ACE subtypes were examined, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; neglect; family alcohol abuse; parental divorce; witnessing intimate partner violence; peer and community violence; and bullying experiences. To minimize confounding bias, inverse probability weighted regression adjustment was used to estimate the effects of ACEs on IPSV victimization and perpetration, with separate models for men and women.

Results: Among men, parental divorce was associated with a lower likelihood of IPSV victimization (β = -.019, CI = -.034 to -.004), and witnessing IPV predicted higher IPSV victimization (β = .016, CI = .003 to .028). However, multiple ACEs, including physical abuse (β = .028, CI = .003 to .052), emotional abuse (β = .029, CI = .007 to .052), physical neglect (β = .180, CI = .088 to .072), and emotional neglect (β = .032, CI = .002 to .062), peer violence (β = .051, CI = .020 to .082), and community violence (β = .030, CI = .008 to .052) were significantly associated with increased IPSV perpetration. Among women, emotional abuse (β = .031, CI = .000 to .062), physical neglect (β = .167, CI = .053 to .282), witnessing IPV (β = .033, CI = .004 to .061), and sexual abuse (β = .194, CI = .045 to .343) significantly predicted an increased risk of IPSV victimization. Notably, no ACEs were significantly associated with IPSV perpetration among women.

Conclusions: The results revealed significant gender differences in the impact of ACEs on IPSV victimization and perpetration. Findings suggest the importance of understanding gender-specific pathways in the association between ACEs and IPSV. While men who had experienced childhood violence were more likely to perpetrate IPSV, women with a history of childhood violence exhibited an increased risk of victimization. Given these differences, gender-sensitive interventions are essential to effectively address IPSV. To break the cycle of violence, it is crucial to develop targeted interventions in high-prevalence areas that focus on early childhood support, trauma-informed care, and culturally tailored intervention programs. Policymakers and practitioners should prioritize these strategies to mitigate the long-term risks associated with ACEs and IPSV.