NCJ Number
249439
Journal
Prevention Science Volume: 16 Issue: 6 Dated: August 2015 Pages: 862-872
Date Published
August 2015
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Since the prevention of intimate partner violence is a desirable individual and public health goal for society, this study conducted a comprehensive assessment of adolescent risk factors for partner violence in order to inform the development of evidence-based prevention strategies.
Abstract
The study used data from the Rochester Youth Development Study, a two-decade prospective study of a representative community sample of 1,000 participants that has extensive measures of adolescent characteristics, contexts, and behaviors that are potential precursors of partner violence. Using a developmental psychopathology framework, the study assessed self-reported partner violence perpetration in emerging adulthood (ages 20-22) and in adulthood (ages 29-30), using the Conflict Tactics Scale. Results indicate that risk factors for intimate partner violence spanned several developmental domains and were similar for both genders. Internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors as well as early intimate relationships were especially salient for both genders. Additionally, cumulative risk across a number of developmental domains placed adolescents at particularly high risk of perpetrating partner violence. Implications for prevention include extending existing prevention programs that focus on high-risk groups with multiple risks for developmental disruption, as well as an emphasis on preventing or mitigating identified risk factors across both genders. (Publisher abstract modified)