This article discusses a study that investigated whether exposure to interparental violence in childhood predicts interpartner violence (both perpetration and victimisation) as an adult, and whether violent crime can also be predicted. These relationships were investigated after controlling for potentially confounding factors that relate to family socio-economic background, family functioning, parental alcoholism/alcohol problems, measures of child abuse, parental use of physical punishment, and measures of individual characteristics. Data from the Christchurch Health and Development Study, a prospective, longitudinal study of a birth cohort of over 1000 New Zealand young adults studied at multiple assessment points from birth to the age of 25, were used for the investigation. Quantitative analysis revealed statistical non-significance in the observed associations between exposure to interparental violence in childhood and increased risks for both (a) psychological interpartner violence perpetration and victimisation and (b) violent crime. In terms of increased risk of physical interpartner violence perpetration or victimisation there were no statistically significant associations observed. The authors conclude that the effects of exposure to domestic violence in childhood on later interpartner violent behaviour are weak. It is proposed that any apparent relations between childhood exposure to domestic violence and later violent behaviours reflects the psychosocial context within which intimate partner violence occurs rather than the traumatic effects of such exposure on longer term development. This conclusion was generally supported by the results of regression analysis.

Child Abuse and Neglect 30(2) February 2006 : 89-108