Childhood experiences with violence of battered and non-battered women

A brief history of domestic violence and a review of the research was provided, including an exploration of etiological theories and factors associated with domestic violence. Issues related to the intergenerational transfer hypothesis and the effects of witnessing parental violence were examined. A connection was established between the experience of childhood violence and of witnessing parental violence and violence in adulthood for males, as well as for females. A mediating variable related to tolerance of violence in interpersonal relationships was also defined and examined. The use of alcohol by women and their partners was explored, as was the role of relationship satisfaction. The 105 participants, classified according to the amount of violence they currently experienced in their most recent adult relationships, as well as by their clinical or non-clinical status, were compared on the amount of violence they experienced and witnessed in childhood, their level of relationship satisfaction, their level and their partners\u27 level of alcohol use, and their tolerance for violence in interpersonal relationships. In comparing battered and non-battered women, battered women report witnessing significantly more parental violence as children, and also report they have been the victims of violence in childhood more often than non-battered women. An approval of violence measure did not help to differentiate battered women from non-battered women. Results show that women receiving clinical services, regardless of their battered or non-battered status, were more likely to be dissatisfied with their relationships than women not receiving clinical services. Findings of the study related to the use of alcohol showed that although the frequency with which alcohol is used is not significantly different for battered women and their partners as compared to non-battered women and their partners, the amount of alcohol used is two to three times greater for battered women and their partners. Implications for future research are discussed in terms of methodology, assessment, and participant demographics