Influence of Childhood Maltreatment and Self-Control on Dating Violence: A Comparison of College Students in the United States and South Korea

• NCJ Number: 237821
• Journal: Violence and Victims Volume: 26 Issue: 3 Dated: 2011 Pages: 296-318
• Author(s): Angela R. Gover, Ph.D.; Wesley G. Jennings, Ph.D.; Elizabeth A. Tomsich, M.S.; MiRang Park, Ph.D.; Callie M. Rennison, Ph.D.
• Date Published: 2011
• Length: 23 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study compared the differences in relationships between childhood maltreatment, low self-control, and dating violence among two groups of college students, one from South Korea and one from the United States.

Abstract

Various aspects of social learning and self-control theories have been applied to partner violence among multiple samples in the United States, but these theoretical approaches have been less commonly studied cross-culturally. Consequently, childhood maltreatment and low self-control have been identified as risk factors for various outcomes in primarily American samples. This study examined the relationships between childhood maltreatment, low self-control, and dating violence among college students in South Korea and the United States. Findings indicated that experiencing childhood maltreatment and having low self-control were key predictors of perpetration and victimization for both psychological and physical relationship violence. Witnessing interparental violence during childhood was less consistently predictive of one's involvement in a violent dating relationship. Implications for theory and policy are discussed. (Published Abstract)