Childhood Adversity and Intimate Partner Violence in Adulthood: The Mediating Influence of PTSD in a Sample of Women Prisoners
Keywords
adverse childhood experiences, mental health, intimate partner violence, life course theory, feminist pathways
Abstract
Although past research documents strong linkages between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and adult intimate partner violence (IPV) in the lives of women prisoners, researchers have often neglected to consider the potential mediating role of PTSD in the relationships between ACEs and adult IPV. Using data from a stratified random sample of all incarcerated women in Oklahoma (N = 334), we explore the relationships between ACEs, PTSD symptomology, and adult IPV utilizing a feminist life course theoretical framework. Results indicate that PTSD symptomology fully mediates the relationship between ACEs and adult IPV, suggesting that PTSD may be central to understanding pathways to adult IPV as well as offending and incarceration for women. Implications and suggestions for policy and future research are offered.
Original Publication Citation
Jones, M. S., Peck, B. M., Sharp, S. F., & McLeod, D. A. (2019). Childhood Adversity and Intimate Partner Violence in Adulthood: The Mediating Influence of PTSD in a Sample of Women Prisoners. Journal of Interpersonal Violence.
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Jones, Melissa S.; Peck, B. Mitchell; Sharp, Susan F.; and McLeod, David A., "Childhood Adversity and Intimate Partner Violence in Adulthood: The Mediating Influence of PTSD in a Sample of Women Prisoners" (2019). Faculty Publications. 3959.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/3959
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
2019-04-26
Permanent URL
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/6769
Publisher
Journal of Interpersonal Violence
Language
English
College
Family, Home, and Social Sciences
Department
Sociology
Copyright Use Information
http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/