Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, Vol 18(4), May 2026, 722-732; doi:10.1037/tra0001831
Objective: To examine the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and intimate partner violence (IPV) among married couples in Nepal as well as the relationships among ACEs, IPV (psychological, sexual, physical), and psychological distress. Method: The sample comprised the control group (N = 720) of a cluster randomized intervention trial among married women in Nepal. Interviewers assessed ACEs, IPV, quality of life, self-efficacy, and depressive symptoms among participants. Times 2 and 3 were conducted 12 and 28 months after baseline, respectively. Results: At baseline, 24% of women reported a history of ACEs. Across time points, married Nepali women most frequently reported psychological IPV (28%–37%). Greater ACEs and IPV scores were related to less quality of life, less self-efficacy, and more depressive symptoms, |rs| = .10–.78, ps r = .78, p