Adult intimate partner violence perpetrators are significantly more likely to have witnessed intimate partner violence as a child than nonperpetrators.
Publication/Presentation Date
7-1-2009
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In a previous study, no association was found between intimate partner violence (IPV) victims and being an adult who witnessed IPV as a child (ACW).
OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to determine whether perpetrators of IPV (Perps) could be identified in a busy emergency department (ED) and whether Perps were more likely than non-Perps to be ACWs. The hypothesis was that Perps differed significantly from non-Perps in being ACWs, in being victims of IPV, and in demographics.
METHODS: The design was a cross-sectional cohort of patients presenting to an academic ED during randomized 4-hour shifts. A choice of computer touch screen data vs paper format was offered. Data collected included demographics as well as scales to determine whether subjects were a Perp, victim, and/or ACW of IPV. Six validated scales were used to screen and confirm victims, Perps, and ACWs. Predictor variables were ACW, ongoing IPV, and demographics.
RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-six subjects were entered, 207 had complete data sets. Forty-four (19%) were Perps. By univariate analysis, there was a significant correlation of Perps and ACW (P = .001 by single question) and between Perp and being victims (P = .001). No other univariate variables were significantly correlated. By regression analysis, significant predictors of Perp included ACW and spouse drug abuse.
CONCLUSIONS: The Perps were identified in a busy ED setting. Perps were significantly more likely than non-Perps to be ACWs, but not more likely to be victims. Spouse drug abuse and ACW were the 2 significant predictors of Perp.
Volume
27
Issue
6
First Page
641
Last Page
650
ISSN
1532-8171
Published In/Presented At
Ernst, A. A., Weiss, S. J., Hall, J., Clark, R., Coffman, B., Goldstein, L., Hobley, K., Dettmer, T., Lehrman, C., Merhege, M., Corum, B., Rihani, T., & Valdez, M. (2009). Adult intimate partner violence perpetrators are significantly more likely to have witnessed intimate partner violence as a child than nonperpetrators. The American journal of emergency medicine, 27(6), 641–650. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2008.05.003
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
19751620
Department(s)
Fellows and Residents
Document Type
Article