Interparental Violence Research Articles

Child Appraisals of Interparental Conflict: The Effects of Intimate Partner Violence and Parent-Child Relationship Quality.

Children's appraisals of interparental violence, including appraisals of high threat and low coping efficacy, are robust predictors of behavioral and emotional problems. However, few studies have examined the factors that account for children's use of these maladaptive appraisals, particularly among children exposed to more severe forms of interparental conflict. The current study examines parent-child relationship quality as a mediator of the effect of intimate partner violence (IPV) exposure on children's appraisals of conflict. Participants were 118 mother-child dyads (54 girls and 64 boys), recruited from three Midwestern counties. Consistent with previous reports, child exposure to IPV, as reported by children's mothers, predicted higher threat and lower coping efficacy appraisals. In addition, mediation analyses showed child reports of parent-child relationship quality mediated the association between IPV and coping efficacy, but not the effects of IPV on threat appraisals. The role of parent-child relationships in shaping cognitive appraisals in the context of IPV exposure can have implications for prevention and intervention efforts as well as public policy.

Cyberbullying victimization and substance use among Quebec high schools students: The mediating role of psychological distress

Cyberbullying has become a significant public health issue among youth and is associated with numerous mental health problems. While the majority of studies explored its mental consequences using cross-sectional design, this article aims to investigate direct and indirect links between cybervictimization, psychological distress and substance use among youth, using a longitudinal design. From the representative sample of the Quebec Youth Romantic Relationships Survey, 1540 students aged 14–20 years participated in 3 Waves. A mediated model was used to investigate direct and indirect links between cybervictimization, controlling for exposure to interparental violence, measured at Wave 1, psychological distress at Wave 2, and substance use at Wave 3 (alcohol, marijuana and other drugs). Findings revealed that cyberbullying victims (18.14%, 10.03%, 1.95% respectively for alcohol, cannabis and other drugs) were more likely to consume substances than non-victims (11.37%, 4.95%, 0.8%). They also show that cybervictimization (β = 1.41, p < .001), exposure to interparental violence (β = 0.08, p < .001) and being a girl (β = −3.78, p < .001) were significantly associated to psychological distress. Psychological distress was found to partially mediate the association between cyberbullying victimization and later substance use. By highlighting the role of psychological distress in the association between cyberbullying and substance use, these results are relevant for prevention and treatment for victims. Indeed, findings from this study underline the need to focus primarily on psychological distress among cyberbullying victims, with an emphasis on gender and possible past victimizations such as exposure to interparental violence.

Subtypes of stuttering determined by latent class analysis in two Swiss epidemiological surveys.

AimsAssociations between stuttering in childhood and a broad spectrum of risk factors, associated factors and comorbidities were examined in two large epidemiological studies. Subtypes of stuttering were then identified based on latent class analysis (LCA).MethodsData were from two representative Swiss population samples: PsyCoLaus (N = 4,874, age 35–82 years) and the ZInEP Epidemiology Survey (N = 1,500, age 20–41 years). Associations between stuttering and sociodemographic characteristics, familial aggregation, comorbidity and psychosocial risk / associated factors were investigated in both samples. LCAs were conducted on selected items from people in both samples who reported having stuttered in childhood.ResultsInitial analyses linked early anxiety disorders, such as separation anxiety disorder and overanxious disorder, to stuttering (PsyCoLaus). ADHD was associated with stuttering in both datasets. In the analyses of risk / associated factors, dysfunctional parental relationships, inter-parental violence and further childhood adversities were mutual predictors of stuttering. Moreover, comorbidities were seen with hay fever, asthma, eczema and psoriasis (PsyCoLaus). Subsequent LCA identified an unspecific group of persons who self-reported that they stuttered and a group defined by associations with psychosocial adversities (ZINEP, PsyCoLaus) and atopic diseases (PsyCoLaus).ConclusionsThe two subtypes of developmental stuttering have different risk / associated factors and comorbidity patterns. Most of the factors are associated with vulnerability mechanisms that occur early in life and that have also been linked with other neurodevelopmental disorders. Both psychosocial and biological factors appear to be involved in the etiopathogenesis of stuttering.

The Mediating Role of Trauma Symptoms in the Association between Past and Future Teen Dating Violence Victimization.

We examined whether the frequency of recent physical and sexual teen dating violence (TDV) victimization is positively associated with trauma symptom clusters (re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal), and whether these symptom clusters, in turn, are positively associated with the frequency of later TDV victimization. Participants were recruited primarily from truancy courts, and the sample consisted of 108 (47% female) 14-to-17-year-olds. Participants completed three assessments, spaced three months apart. Results indicated that the frequency of recent TDV victimization related positively to all three trauma symptom clusters. Re-experiencing symptoms mediated the relation between recent TDV victimization and TDV victimization six months later, even after controlling for exposure to community and interparental violence and demographic variables. The findings suggest that the trauma symptom clusters may differentially contribute to risk of future TDV victimization. Further research examining the cognitive and emotional processes involved in re-experiencing trauma symptoms will likely enhance our understanding of risk factors for TDV re-victimization.

Cumulative risk effect of household dysfunction for child maltreatment after intensive intervention of the child protection system in Japan: a longitudinal analysis

BackgroundBuilding an effective casework system for child maltreatment is a global issue. We estimated the effect of household dysfunction (i.e., interparental violence, caregiver mental health problems, and caregiver substance abuse) on child maltreatment to understand how to advance the current framework of child welfare.MethodsThe sample comprised 759 children (1- to 17-year-old; mean age was 10.6; 404 boys and 355 girls) placed in temporary custody units (one of the strongest intervention of the Japanese child protection system). Caseworkers from 180 units across 43 prefectures completed questionnaires on children and their family and were asked whether a child maltreatment report had been made after cancelation of custody in a 15-month follow-up period. The relations of household dysfunction and maltreatment reports were assessed using the Cox proportional hazard model.ResultsAbout half (48.4%) of the children had been placed in the unit because of maltreatment, and 88.3% had a history of victimization. Seventy-six cases had maltreatment reports after cancelation. We entered household dysfunction variables individually into the model, and each had a significant relationship with maltreatment reports (hazard ratios for interparental violence, caregiver mental health problem, and substance abuse were 1.69, 1.69, and 2.19, respectively) after covariate adjustment. When treating these three variables as cumulative risk score model of household dysfunction, the hazard ratio increased with increasing number of score (1.96 for score two; 2.35 for score three; score 0 as reference).ConclusionsGreater household dysfunction score is a risk of maltreatment after intensive intervention. It is imperative to construct systems facilitating cooperation between child and adult service sectors and to deliver seamless services to children and families. Our findings provide child protect services with risk-stratified interventions for children at victimization risk and promote adult-focused services to be proactive in prevention or intervention for adults with perpetration risk.

Does exposure to interparental violence increase women\u2019s risk of intimate partner violence? Evidence from Nigeria demographic and health survey

BackgroundExposure to interparental violence (EIPV) has been identified as a risk factor for intimate partner violence (IPV). However, studies in Nigeria have rarely and specifically examined exposure to interparental violence as a predictor of IPV. The objective of the study was to examine the relationship between exposure to interparental violence and women’s experience of intimate partner violence.MethodsThe 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) women recode dataset was analysed. The weighted sample size was 19,925 women aged 15–49 years. The outcome variable was women’s experience of at least one type of IPV measured by combining partner physical, sexual and emotional violence experienced by the surveyed women. The main explanatory variable was exposure to interparental violence measured by response to question on whether a woman witnessed her father ever beat her mother. Individual/relationship and community characteristics were selected for statistical control in the study. The multilevel mixed-effect regression was applied in three models using Stata version 12. Model 1 was based solely on interparental violence, while individual/relationship factors were included in Model 2. In Model 3, all research variables were included.ResultsThe study revealed that less than one-tenth of the women witnessed interparental violence, and women exposed to interparental violence compared with non exposed women had higher prevalence of all forms of IPV. In Model 1, women exposed to interparental violence were more than five times as likely as non exposed women to experience IPV (OR = 5.356; CI: 3.371–8.509). In Model 2, women exposed to interparental violence were nearly five times as likely as non exposed women to experience IPV (OR = 4.489; CI: 3.047–6.607). In Model 3, women exposed to interparental violence were four times as likely as non exposed women to experience IPV (OR = 4.018; CI: 2.626–6.147).ConclusionThe study provided additional evidence that exposure to interparental violence increase women’s risk of IPV in Nigeria. Reducing future prevalence of intimate partner violence may require social and behaviour change communication (SBCC) that not only change perception of children who witnessed interparental violence, but also help them to overcome intergenerational effects of interparental aggression.

The legacy of early childhood violence exposure to adulthood intimate partner violence: Variable- and person-oriented evidence.

This study examined prospective pathways from exposure to interparental violence (EIPV) during infancy (ages 0-24 months) and toddlerhood/preschool (ages 25-64 months) to intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration and victimization in adulthood (ages 23, 26, and 32 years) using 2 complementary approaches. Building on past findings, a variable-oriented approach was used to examine the effects of developmental timing of EIPV in infancy versus toddlerhood/preschool to IPV involvement in early adulthood, at age 23 years. A person-oriented approach next examined whether continuity and change in IPV (persisting, increasing, and decreasing vs. nonviolent patterns) across the transition from early adulthood to adulthood (ages 26 to 32 years) were predicted by developmental timing of EIPV within early childhood and/or contemporaneous adulthood factors (life stress and behavior problems). In this fully prospective longitudinal study beginning at birth, mothers reported on EIPV in infancy and toddlerhood/preschool, and participants (N = 179) reported on IPV and contemporaneous stress and behavior in early adulthood and adulthood. Results indicated that according to the variable-oriented approach, EIPV in toddlerhood/preschool but not in infancy predicted both IPV perpetration and victimization at age 23. The person-oriented approach revealed that, along with life stress and externalizing behavior, EIPV in toddlerhood/preschool, but not in infancy, also differentiated patterns of IPV from ages 26 to 32. Findings converge on toddlerhood/preschool as a particular promising developmental period to intervene and deter long-term effects of EIPV on IPV across the transition from early adulthood to adulthood. (PsycINFO Database Record

부부폭력 노출경험이 청소년의 음란물 이용에 미치는 영향: 우울/불안의 매개 효과

부부폭력 노출경험이 청소년의 음란물 이용에 미치는 영향: 우울/불안의 매개 효과

Childhood maltreatment and adolescent sexual risk behaviors: Unique, cumulative and interactive effects

Child maltreatment has been associated with sexual risk behaviors. Previous investigators have typically studied only one form of maltreatment, preventing them from exploring interrelations between forms of maltreatment and their impact on sexual risk behaviors. Thus, this study aims to examine the unique, cumulative, and interactive effects of four maltreatment forms (sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and witnessing interparental violence) on sexual risk behaviors. The sample comprised 1940 sexually active adolescents (Mage=15.6; 60.8% girls) attending Quebec (Canada) high schools. Regression results showed that all maltreatment forms were associated with having a higher number of sexual partners, casual sexual behavior, and a younger age at first consensual intercourse. Physical abuse and witnessing interparental violence were associated with inconsistent condom use, and physical abuse was associated with sexually transmitted infections. After controlling for all forms of maltreatment (unique effects), analyses showed that sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect or witnessing interparental violence remained statistically associated depending on the sexual risk behavior. A greater number of forms of maltreatment was associated with more sexual risk behaviors (cumulative effect). When sexual abuse was not experienced, neglect was associated with a higher number of sexual partners (interactive effects). In general, associations between maltreatment and sexual risk behaviors were similar for both genders. The magnitude of the relationship between a specific form of child maltreatment and sexual risk behaviors may be inaccurately estimated when not controlling for other forms of maltreatment.

The Relationship Between Parents' Intimate Partner Victimization and Youths' Adolescent Relationship Abuse.

Witnessing inter-parental intimate partner violence has been found to be associated with adolescents' own relationship abuse. This study investigates the relationship between patterns of inter-parental intimate partner verbal and physical violence victimization reported by parents and their children's reports of dating abuse experiences and behavior. Latent class analysis was performed on a sample of 610 parents (42% male and 67% white) and their dating adolescent children (ages 12-21 years; 52% male). Parents reported five types of victimization by their partners in the past year, while youth concurrently reported their own victimization and perpetration within their dating relationships. Three profiles of parents' intimate partner victimization were related to youth relationship abuse experiences and behaviors. Children of parents who experienced verbal abuse were more likely to experience similar patterns in their own relationships, whereas children of parents who report physical and verbal abuse were more likely to report psychological, physical and sexual abusive encounters in their partnerships. Findings indicate that parents' relationship quality and abusive behaviors may have a long lasting effect on their children as they enter mid and late adolescence. Parents should pay attention to their own relationship quality and behavior even as their teen-age children gain independence.

Awareness and Rejection Accounts of Intimate Partner Violence by Young Women in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is the most prevalent form of interpersonal violence experienced by women in South Africa. A study conducted with young women from South Africa, aged 13 to 23 years, estimated that 42% experienced physical violence from their intimate partners. The subtle and nuanced social dynamics of IPV are less understood owing to little qualitative research on this subject. This study qualitatively explored how young women perceive and experience IPV. Participants were recruited through snowballing from townships in Soweto, outside Johannesburg. In-depth, face-to-face, and semistructured interviews were conducted with seven young women aged 15 to 20 years. The discourse analysis was implemented to understand participants' construction of IPV. Participants reported direct experiences of IPV and indirect through exposure to interparental and interpersonal violence. Findings indicate a progressive shift of perceptions from absolute tolerance of relationship violence to rejection. However, victim blaming and relegating relationship violence to the private realm still existed. Essentialisation of masculine qualities such as anger was used to construct and understand men's use of violence. Young women highlighted infidelity, pregnancy, and sex demands from their partners as reasons for them being subjected to IPV.

Exposição a violência em relações de intimidade – a propósito de um caso clínico

Children who are exposed to violence in intimate relationships are often deemed “indirect victims” and for a long time it was difficult to fit them into a specific abuse category. Nowadays, emotional abuse includes interparental violence that is witnessed by minors. A case is presented of a child repeatedly exposed to his father’s physical and emotional violence towards his mother. This clinical case draw attention to the need of developing awareness-raising strategies to do active screening in pediatric appointments and primary healthcare in abuse situations, namely exposure to violence in intimate relationships. Domestic violence is a public crime and includes situations of exposure to violence in intimate relations, which is a crucial aspect in the inter-generational transmission of this kind of behaviour. It is urgent to break these cycles of violence and counsel both the victims and the aggressors.

Sexual violence against female university students in Ethiopia

BackgroundThough many women are suffering the consequences of sexual violence, only few victims speak out as it is sensitive and prone to stigma. This lack of data made it difficult to get full picture of the problem and design proper interventions. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with sexual violence among female students of Wolaita Sodo University, south Ethiopia.MethodsInstitution based cross-sectional study was conducted among 462 regular female Wolaita Sodo University students on April 7/2015. Participants were selected by simple random sampling. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaire. Data entry and analysis was done by EPI info and SPSS statistical packages respectively. Descriptive statistics were done. Moreover, bivariate and multivariate analyses were also carried out to identify predictors of sexual violence.ResultThe age of respondents ranged from 18 to 26 years. Lifetime sexual violence was found to be 45.4%. However, 36.1% and 24.4% of respondents reported experiencing sexual violence since entering university and in the current academic year respectively. Life time sexual violence was positively associated with witnessing inter-parental violence as a child, rural childhood residence, having regular boyfriend, alcohol consumption and having friends who drink regularly; while it was negatively associated with discussing sexual issues with parents.ConclusionSexual violence is a common phenomenon among the students. More detailed research has to be conducted to develop prevention and intervention strategies.

Intergenerational Transmission of Marital Violence among Rural Migrants in China: Evidence from a Survey in Shenzhen

Using data from a survey of rural migrants of P district in Shenzhen in 2013, this article explores marital violence among rural migrants. It investigates whether immigrants who witnessed interparental violence or experienced physical violence during childhood are more likely to be emotionally or physically violent in their own marriage. It also finds that the prevalence of mutual violence between rural migrant couples is significantly higher than unilateral violence, and emotional violence is the most common type of marital violence. Witnessing interparental violence in childhood increases the likelihood in adulthood of perpetrating both emotional and physical violence for females but only of emotional violence for males. There is a correlation between experience of physical abuse during childhood and perpetration of physical or emotional abuse during adulthood.

청소년이 경험한 부부폭력, 자녀학대, 형제폭력과 학교폭력 가해/피해 간의 관계

본 연구의 목적은 형제폭력을 포함하여 가정내 폭력유형들 간의 관계를 확인하고, 이 유형들이 학교폭력에 영향을 미치는 경로를 탐색하는 것이다. 연구대상은 학교폭력 가해나 피해경험이 있는 서울 및 경기도의 중학교 3학년과 고등학교 1학년 학생 223명이었다. 이들은 부부폭력, 자녀학대, 형제폭력 및 학교폭력에 관한 설문에 응답하였다. 분석방법으로 변인들 간의 상관분석 및 가정폭력 유형들이 학교폭력 가해/피해에 이르는 경로를 분석하였다. 연구결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 형제폭력은 학교폭력 가해/피해 양 측면에서 유의한 정적 관련성을 보였다. 둘째, 학교폭력 가해모형에서 부부폭력이 높아질수록 자녀학대와 형제폭력 가해가 증가하고, 이에 따라 학교폭력 가해가능성이 높아지는 것으로 나타났다. 그리고 총 효과 측면에서 학교폭력 가해에 대해 자녀학대의 영향력이 가장 큰 것으로 나타났다. 셋째, 학교폭력 피해모형에서 부부폭력이 높아질수록 형제폭력 피해가 증가하고, 이에 따라 학교폭력 피해가능성이 높아지는 것으로 나타났다. 그리고 총 효과측면에서 학교폭력 피해에 대해 부부폭력의 영향력이 가장 큰 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구는 청소년의 가정폭력과 학교폭력 간의 관계를 형제폭력을 포함하여 통합적으로 조망하였다는데 의의가 있다. 연구의 의의와 제한점에 대해 논의하였다.

Gender's Role in Exposure to Interparental Violence, Acceptance of Violence, Self-Efficacy, and Physical Teen Dating Violence Among Quebec Adolescents.

Despite efforts to prevent physical teen dating violence, it remains a major public health issue with multiple negative consequences. This study aims to investigate gender differences in the relationships between exposure to interparental violence (mother-to-father violence, father-to-mother violence), acceptance of dating violence (perpetrated by boys, perpetrated by girls), and self-efficacy to disclose teen dating violence. Data were drawn from Waves 1 and 2 of the Quebec Youth Romantic Relationships Project, conducted with a representative sample of Quebec high school students. Analyses were conducted on a subsample of 2,564 teenagers who had been in a dating relationship in the past 6 months (63.8% girls, mean age of 15.3 years). Path analyses were conducted to investigate the links among exposure to interparental violence, acceptance of violence, self-efficacy to disclose teen dating violence (measured at Wave 1), and physical teen dating violence (measured at Wave 2). General exposure to interparental violence was linked, through acceptance of girl-perpetrated violence, to victimization among both genders and to girls' perpetration of physical teen dating violence. No significant difference was identified in the impact of the gender of the perpetrating parent when considering exposure to interparental violence. Self-efficacy to disclose personal experiences of violence was not linked to exposure to interparental violence or to experiences of physical teen dating violence. The findings support the intergenerational transmission of violence. Moreover, the findings underline the importance of targeting acceptance of violence, especially girl-perpetrated violence, in prevention programs and of intervening with children and adolescents who have witnessed interparental violence.

Pathways Linking Childhood Maltreatment and Adolescent Sexual Risk Behaviors: The Role of Attachment Security

Previous research has shown an association between child maltreatment (sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, or witnessing interparental violence) and adolescent sexual risk behaviors (SRBs). The mechanisms explaining this association are not well understood, but attachment theory could provide further insight into them. This study examined the relationships between child maltreatment and SRBs and investigated anxious and avoidant attachment as mediators. The sample comprised 1,900 sexually active adolescents (13 to 17 years old; 60.8% girls) attending Quebec high schools. The results of path analyses indicated that neglect was associated with a higher number of sexual partners, casual sexual behavior, and being younger at first intercourse. Anxious attachment mediated the relation between neglect and number of sexual partners, whereas avoidant attachment explained the relation between neglect and number of sexual partners, casual sexual behavior, and age at first intercourse (for boys only). Sexual abuse was directly associated with all three SRBs. Neither anxious attachment nor avoidant attachment mediated these associations. Youth with a history of neglect and sexual abuse represent a vulnerable population that is likely to engage in SRBs. Interventions designed to induce a positive change in attachment security may reduce SRBs among victims of neglect.

Violence against children perpetrated by peers: A cross-sectional school-based survey in Uganda

Violence against children by peers is a global public health problem. We aimed to assess factors associated with peer violence victimization among primary school children in Uganda. We conducted multilevel multivariable logistic regression analyses of cross-sectional data from 3706 primary students in 42 Ugandan primary schools. Among primary school students, 29% and 34% had ever experienced physical and emotional violence perpetrated by their peers, respectively. Factors strongly associated with both physical and emotional violence were similar and overlapping, and included exposure to interparental violence, having an attitude supportive of violence against children from school staff, not living with biological parents, working for payment, and higher SDQ score. However, we found that younger age, sharing sleeping area with an adult and achieving a higher educational performance score, were specifically associated with physical violence. On the other hand, being female, walking to school, reporting disability and eating one meal on the previous day, were particularly associated with emotional violence. Interventions to reduce peer violence should focus on family contexts, school environments and those with poor socio-economic status may need extra support.

Cumulative Adverse Childhood Experiences and Sexual Satisfaction in Sex Therapy Patients: What Role for Symptom Complexity?

IntroductionPatients consulting for sexual difficulties frequently present additional personal or relational disorders and symptoms. This is especially the case when they have experienced cumulative adverse childhood experiences (CACEs), which are associated with symptom complexity. CACEs refer to the extent to which an individual has experienced an accumulation of different types of adverse childhood experiences including sexual, physical, and psychological abuse; neglect; exposure to inter-parental violence; and bullying. However, past studies have not examined how symptom complexity might relate to CACEs and sexual satisfaction and even less so in samples of adults consulting for sex therapy. AimTo document the presence of CACEs in a sample of individuals consulting for sexual difficulties and its potential association with sexual satisfaction through the development of symptom complexity operationalized through well-established clinically significant indicators of individual and relationship distress. MethodsMen and women (n = 307) aged 18 years and older consulting for sexual difficulties completed a set of questionnaires during their initial assessment. Main Outcome Measures(i) Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction Scale, (ii) Dyadic Adjustment Scale–4, (iii) Experiences in Close Relationships–12, (iv) Beck Depression Inventory–13, (v) Trauma Symptom Inventory–2, and (vi) Psychiatric Symptom Inventory–14. ResultsResults showed that 58.1% of women and 51.9% of men reported at least four forms of childhood adversity. The average number of CACEs was 4.10 (SD = 2.23) in women and 3.71 (SD = 2.08) in men. Structural equation modeling showed that CACEs contribute directly and indirectly to sexual satisfaction in adults consulting for sex therapy through clinically significant individual and relational symptom complexities. ConclusionThe findings underscore the relevance of addressing clinically significant psychological and relational symptoms that can stem from CACEs when treating sexual difficulties in adults seeking sex therapy.Bigras N, Godbout N, Hébert M, Sabourin S. Cumulative Adverse Childhood Experiences and Sexual Satisfaction in Sex Therapy Patients: What Role for Symptom Complexity? J Sex Med 2017;14:444–454.

Assessing the link between witnessing inter-parental violence and the perpetration of intimate partner violence in Bangladesh

BackgroundWe aimed to examine the influence of witnessing father-to-mother violence on: 1) perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV); and 2) endorsement of attitudes justifying wife beating in Bangladesh.MethodsThis paper used data from the 2007 Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey. The analyses were based on the responses of 3374 ever-married men. Exposure to IPV was determined by men’s self-reports of witnessing inter-parental violence in childhood. We used adjusted binary logistic regression models to assess the influence of exposure on husbands’ perpetration of IPV and their endorsement of attitudes justifying wife beating.ResultsNearly 60% of men reported violent behaviour towards an intimate partner and 35.7% endorsed attitudes justifying spousal abuse. Men who witnessed father-to-mother violence had higher odds of reporting any physical or sexual IPV (adjusted OR [AOR] = 3.26; 95% CI = 2.61, 4.06). Men who had witnessed father-to-mother violence were also 1.34 times (95% CI = 1.08, 1.65) more likely endorse attitudes justifying spousal abuse.ConclusionsCommitting violence against an intimate partner is an all too frequent practice among men in Bangladesh. The study indicated that men who had witnessed father-to-mother violence were more likley to perpetrate IPV, suggesting an intergenerational transmission of violence. This transmission of violence may operate through the learning and modelling of attitudes favourable to spousal abuse. In support of this, witnnessing inter-parental violence was also associated with the endorsement of attitudes justifying spousal abuse. Our findings indicate the continued importance of efforts to identify and assist boys who have witnessed domestic violence and suggest such efforts should aim to change not just behaviours but also attitudes that facilitate such violence.