A Prospective Investigation of Pathways From Childhood Victimization to Adult Revictimization

• In Event: Linking Childhood Experiences to Adult Victimization and Offending

Abstract

One adult outcome associated with childhood maltreatment is increased risk of revictimization, although knowledge is limited because of few studies that focus on males or children with histories of physical abuse or neglect. In addition, while some studies have begun to examine potential pathways from childhood victimization to adult revictimization, there is heavy reliance on data from cross-sectional or short-term longitudinal studies This presentation will describe an analysis of the role of potential mediators between childhood victimization and revictimization in adulthood by an intimate partner. We will use data from a large prospective cohort design study of children with official records of physical and sexual abuse and neglect and non-maltreated children matched on the basis of age, sex, race, and approximate family social class. Mediators, including psychiatric diagnoses, alcohol and drug use, and risky lifestyle behaviors, were assessed at mean age 29 and outcomes (intimate partner victimization) at mean age 39.5. Structural equation modeling will be used to test mediation and analyses will be conducted separately for males and females and different types of child abuse and neglect. Implications of the findings for theory and intervention will be discussed.

Authors

• Rebecca Spizzirri, The Graduate Center / John Jay College, CUNY

• Cathy Spatz Widom, John Jay College of Criminal Justice / CUNY Graduate Center