This paper examines the developmental antecedents of interpartner violence (IPV) victimization and perpetration in a New Zealand
birth cohort (
n = 828). The study found: (a) IPV occurred in 70% of relationships, with conflict ranging from minor psychological abuse to
severe assault; (b) men and women reported similar experiences of victimization and perpetration of IPV; (c) exposure to abuse
in childhood, family dysfunction and adversity, childhood and adolescent conduct problems, and alcohol abuse/dependence were
significant predictors of IPV victimization and perpetration at age 25; and (d) the antecedents of IPV were largely the same
for males and females, although the specific effects of these risk factors differed according to gender. Conduct disorder
was more strongly predictive of IPV for females, whereas family adversity was more strongly predictive of IPV victimisation
for males.
Keywords Interpartner violence - Gender differences - Longitudinal studies - Conduct disorder - Abuse exposure