Adverse childhood experiences and intimate partner aggression in the US: Sex differences and similarities in psychosocial mediation

• Published in: Social science & medicine (1982) 2015-04, Vol.131, p.48-57
• Main Authors: Brown, Monique J., Perera, Robert A., Masho, Saba W., Mezuk, Briana, Cohen, Steven A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Adverse childhood experiences; Aggression - psychology; Aggressiveness; Child; Child Abuse - psychology; Child Abuse - statistics & numerical data; Child Abuse, Sexual - psychology; Child Abuse, Sexual - statistics & numerical data; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Domestic violence; Female; Gender differences; Health Surveys; Humans; Intimate partner aggression; Life Change Events; Male; Mediation; Mental depression; Middle Aged; Models, Statistical; Post traumatic stress disorder; Posttraumatic stress disorder; Public health; Risk Assessment - statistics & numerical data; Sex Characteristics; Sexual Partners - psychology; Spouse Abuse - psychology; Spouse Abuse - statistics & numerical data; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - diagnosis; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - epidemiology; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - psychology; Structural equation modeling; Substance abuse; Substance-Related Disorders - diagnosis; Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology; Substance-Related Disorders - psychology; United States; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0277-9536; 1873-5347
• DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.02.044

Six in ten people in the general population have been exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health problem in the US. The main objective of this study was to assess sex differences in the role of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, and depression as mediators in the association between ACEs and intimate partner aggression. Data were obtained from Wave 2 (2004–2005) of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Structural equation modeling was used to determine the mediational role of PTSD, substance abuse and depression in the association between ACE constructs (neglect, physical/psychological abuse, sexual abuse, parental violence, and parental incarceration/psychopathology) and intimate partner aggression. Among men, PTSD mediated the relationship between sexual abuse and intimate partner aggression. However, among men and women, substance abuse mediated the relationship between physical and psychological abuse and intimate partner aggression. IPV programs geared towards aggressors should address abuse (sexual, physical and psychological), which occurred during childhood and recent substance abuse and PTSD. These programs should be implemented for men and women. Programs aimed at preventing abuse of children may help to reduce rates of depression and PTSD in adulthood, and subsequent intimate partner aggression. •We examined psychosocial mediation between ACEs and partner aggression.•Structural equation modeling was used for mediation analysis.•Substance abuse mediated physical/psychological abuse and partner aggression.•PTSD mediated sexual abuse and partner aggression among men.•Partner violence programs for aggressors should be implemented for men and women.