Abstract
Childhood exposure to family aggression is associated with various harmful outcomes, including poor adult relationship functioning
(i.e., greater relationship dissatisfaction and partner aggression). The mechanisms by which this transmission occurs, however,
are less well understood. In this study, the mediating effects of adult depression and childhood antisocial behavior on the
link between childhood exposure to family aggression and adult relationship functioning were investigated using a community
sample of 98 couples expecting their first child. Childhood exposure to aggression was linked to greater relationship dissatisfaction
and higher rates of partner aggression perpetration for both men and women. For men, symptoms of depression partially mediated
the association between aggression exposure and relationship satisfaction. For women, childhood antisocial behavior fully
mediated the link between aggression exposure and both indices of poor relationship functioning (dissatisfaction and aggression).
These gender-specific results have implications for improving relationship functioning and breaking the intergenerational
transmission of relationship dysfunction.
(i.e., greater relationship dissatisfaction and partner aggression). The mechanisms by which this transmission occurs, however,
are less well understood. In this study, the mediating effects of adult depression and childhood antisocial behavior on the
link between childhood exposure to family aggression and adult relationship functioning were investigated using a community
sample of 98 couples expecting their first child. Childhood exposure to aggression was linked to greater relationship dissatisfaction
and higher rates of partner aggression perpetration for both men and women. For men, symptoms of depression partially mediated
the association between aggression exposure and relationship satisfaction. For women, childhood antisocial behavior fully
mediated the link between aggression exposure and both indices of poor relationship functioning (dissatisfaction and aggression).
These gender-specific results have implications for improving relationship functioning and breaking the intergenerational
transmission of relationship dysfunction.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10896-012-9453-1
- Authors
- Valerie Caldeira, Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, PO Box 3050, STN CSC, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 3P5, Canada
- Erica M. Woodin, Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, PO Box 3050, STN CSC, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 3P5, Canada
- Journal Journal of Family Violence
- Online ISSN 1573-2851
- Print ISSN 0885-7482