Relationship Context and Intimate Partner Violence From Adolescence to Young Adulthood

• NCJ Number: 250047
• Journal: Journal of Adolescent Health Volume: 57 Issue: 6 Dated: December 2015 Pages: 631-636
• Author(s): W. L. Johnson; W. D. Manning; P. C. Giordano; M. A. Longmore
• Date Published: December 2015
• Length: 6 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2009-IJ-CX-0503; 2010-MU-MU-0031; 2012-IJ-CX-0015
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description

Annotation

In order to assess changes in self-reported intimate partner violence (IPV) experience from adolescence through young adulthood, this study examined whether individual change in indicators of relationship contextqualities and dynamics of the relationship, changes in partners, and relationship type (dating, cohabiting, and married)were associated with change in self-reports of IPV.

Abstract

The study concluded that IPV, although prevalent, does not represent a consistent experience. As young adults develop higher quality relationships, they move toward desistance from IPV. Yet, variability in these experiences was observed, supporting previous calls for programs that promote the development of healthy relationships among adolescents and young adults. More than half of respondents (53 percent) experienced discontinuity in IPV across relationships. Among those reporting violence, the vast majority (87 percent) did not experience violence in all of their relationships. Age-related patterns were similar for men and women, with IPV peaking in young adulthood. Infidelity, frequency of disagreements, and partner continuity were associated with a higher proportion of relationships with IPV. Improvements in the nature and character of romantic relationships were associated with a lower accumulation of IPV experiences. (Publisher abstract modified)