Abstract Title
Childhood Abuse, Intimate Partner Violence, and Criminal Behavior Among Parents Participating in the Home Visiting Program
Additional Funding Sources
This research study, conducted by the Center for Health Policy, is a part of a larger evaluation project (the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program) supported by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Award No. 3767011.
Abstract
Abuse at any age is harmful but can be especially detrimental when experienced in childhood. Ample research exists on the association between childhood abuse and risk for intimate partner violence (IVP) in adulthood, either as a victim or perpetrator. Furthermore, IPV has been shown to be positively associated with criminal behavior. However, few studies have examined the interrelations among these three variables. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of childhood abuse, IPV, and criminal behavior in a subset of at-risk parents of young children participating in an evidence-based early intervention program and explore any linkages that may exist among them. Data were collected from 156 program participants, of whom 68.7% reported emotional, 55.8% reported physical, and 39.6% reported sexual abuse. Moreover, 51.9% reported a history of IPV and 41.3% a history of criminal behavior. Parents who experienced emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse were 5.6, 4.0, and 2.0 times more likely to experience IPV, respectively. Interestingly, none of the three types of abuse was significantly associated with criminal behavior but IPV was, such that parents experiencing IPV were 3.8 times more likely to engage in criminal behavior. These findings have important implications for early intervention programs.
Childhood Abuse, Intimate Partner Violence, and Criminal Behavior Among Parents Participating in the Home Visiting Program
Abuse at any age is harmful but can be especially detrimental when experienced in childhood. Ample research exists on the association between childhood abuse and risk for intimate partner violence (IVP) in adulthood, either as a victim or perpetrator. Furthermore, IPV has been shown to be positively associated with criminal behavior. However, few studies have examined the interrelations among these three variables. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of childhood abuse, IPV, and criminal behavior in a subset of at-risk parents of young children participating in an evidence-based early intervention program and explore any linkages that may exist among them. Data were collected from 156 program participants, of whom 68.7% reported emotional, 55.8% reported physical, and 39.6% reported sexual abuse. Moreover, 51.9% reported a history of IPV and 41.3% a history of criminal behavior. Parents who experienced emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse were 5.6, 4.0, and 2.0 times more likely to experience IPV, respectively. Interestingly, none of the three types of abuse was significantly associated with criminal behavior but IPV was, such that parents experiencing IPV were 3.8 times more likely to engage in criminal behavior. These findings have important implications for early intervention programs.