From Childhood Maltreatment to Dating Abuse: An Examination of Intergenerational Transmission of Violence

• In Event: Childhood Violence and Future Victimization

Abstract

Dating violence (DV) is a significant public health concern, yet its predictors remain underexplored in the South Korean context. This study examines whether physical abuse during childhood predicts different forms of DV victimization in adulthood, including emotional, physical, sexual, and technology-facilitated dating violence. Building upon the premises of the intergenerational transmission of violence theory, four regression models were conducted to investigate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and DV victimization using a large sample of Korean adults (N=707). The preliminary findings not only support the intergenerational transmission of violence model but also suggest that being female, adhering to stereotypical gender roles, and living in rural areas are significant predictors of DV victimization. These findings highlight the need for early intervention through child abuse prevention programs and educational initiatives to challenge rigid gender norms. Future research should explore the mechanisms linking childhood maltreatment to DV. Additionally, future studies could consider regional and cultural differences in dating violence dynamics within South Korea.

Authors

• Soyeon Kim, Cambridge University

• Riccardo Ferraresso, Dongguk University