The Relationship Between Interpersonal Violence Victimization and Smoking Behavior Across Time and by Gender

Abstract

This study examined relationships between interpersonal violence victimization and smoking from childhood to adulthood. Data were from a community-based longitudinal study (N = 808) spanning ages 10 to 33. Cross-lag path analysis was used to model concurrent, directional, and reciprocal effects. Results indicate that childhood physical abuse predicted smoking and partner violence in young adulthood; partner violence and smoking were reciprocally related in the transition from young adulthood to adulthood. Gender differences in this relationship were not detected. Social work prevention efforts focused on interpersonal violence and interventions targeting smoking cessation could be critical factors for reducing both issues.

KEYWORDS:

• child abuse
• gender
• interpersonal violence
• longitudinal
• partner violence
• smoking
• substance use

Additional information

Funding

Funding support for this project was provided by grant numbers 1R01DA02441-07, 5R01DA003721-08, and 5R01DA021426-11 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse; RWJ21548 from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; and by National Institutes of Health Interdisciplinary training grant #TL1 TR000422, which supported the time of Allison N. Kristman-Valente.