Childhood Exposure to Violence Among Victims and Perpetrators of Spouse Battering

• NCJ Number: 88908
• Journal: Victimology Volume: 6 Issue: 1-4 Dated: (1981) Pages: 156-166
• Author(s): R D Post; A B Willett; R D Franks; R M House; S M Back
• Date Published: 1983
• Length: 11 pages
• Grant Number(s): MH14517
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In a sample of 150 psychiatric inpatients, 48 reported a history of spouse battering, confirming a social learning theory in which childhood exposure to violence legitimizes violent actions and provides a specific role model for future behavior.

Abstract

Patients were interviewed to assess the childhood antecedents of spouse battering. Study results suggest that exposure to violence in childhood may be an important antecedent to violence in adult relationships. It appears that the individual learns a specific role as aggressor or victim, in addition to more general attitudes about violence. Tables and 15 references are included. (Author abstract modified)