Risk factors for intimate partner violence perpetration among college students: Impact of childhood adversities

Abstract

Objective Intimate partner violence (IPV) among college students is a significant problem that negatively affects their physical and emotional health. This study aimed at examining risk factors, especially childhood adversities at the individual, relationship, and community levels, of IPV perpetration among college students. Methods: The sample from seven universities in the U.S. and Canada (N = 3,725) completed an online survey. Major variables included IPV perpetration, five types of childhood adversities, alcohol and drug use, depression, and demographic information. Logistic regression was performed. Results: Peer violence victimization, witnessing parental IPV, experiencing child maltreatment, drug use, and depression were associated with a higher odd of perpetrating IPV. Conclusions: Research and practice must account for exposure to multiple risk factors when intervening with college students. An integrative approach that combines trauma-informed interventions with substance use and mental health treatment may be most successful at IPV perpetration prevention and intervention among college students.

Keywords:

• childhood adversity
• college students
• drug use
• intimate partner violence perpetration
• peer violence victimization

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflcits of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the U.S.A. and Canada and received approval from the Institutional Review Boards of the University of Georgia, the University of Windsor, the University of Southern California, Michigan State University, the University of Hawaii, the University of Northern Iowa, and the College of Staten Island, CUNY.

Funding

No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.