Domestic abuse risk increases for mistreated children – research
The new study from University College London reveals children who have fallen victim to maltreatment were three times more likely to experience an abusive relationship by the age of 21.
To conduct the research, which has been published in Molecular Psychiatry, experts analysed data from 12,794 twins born in England and Wales from the Twins Early Development Study (TEDS).
Researchers examined the differences between identical and non-identical twins and used the data to understand how genes and environments affect abilities, behaviours and mental health later in life.
The link made between children who have experienced maltreatment – such as emotional, physical or sexual abuse – and fall victim to domestic abuse, can be described as nothing short of harrowing. Experts outlined that these particular children were three times more likely to experience abusive intimate relationships at the age of 21 compared to their peers.
Upsettingly, the risk of domestic abuse also only grew greater over time. Experts outlined when participants reached 26, they were four times more likely to have encountered an abusive relationship if they had experienced childhood neglect and ill-treatment compared to peers of the same age.
‘Our findings are in line with past research, which generally reports a three to six times higher risk for intimate partner violence among those with a history of childhood maltreatment,’ said Dr Patrizia Pezzoli, lead author of the study. ‘However, our finding that this risk may accumulate over time is novel. We interpreted this escalation in light of previous evidence that individuals exposed to maltreatment often face gradual restrictions in social networks – for example as a result of having less opportunities to socialise when growing up – potentially heightening their vulnerability to unsafe relationships over time.’
With these findings in mind, researchers also found certain environmental factors such as family dynamics and influences from siblings accounted for 42-43% of situations where children who experienced maltreatment in their early years, were exposed to domestic abuse as a young adult.
Likewise, the study displayed that generic factors which influence behaviour and personality traits impacted 30-33% of cases.
‘These distinctions can help us to understand the different pathways through which childhood experiences can impact later life outcomes and inform targeted interventions,’ Dr Pezzoli continued. ‘We hope that our research will allow us to tackle complex factors that increase risk for certain individuals, creating opportunities for effective prevention and support.’
This study was funded by a British Academy/Leverhulme grant awarded to Dr Pezzoli and can be accessed in full here.
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