Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Research suggests that exposure to violence in the family of origin increases the likelihood of involvement in a violent relationship later in life. In fact, researchers assert that violence experienced in a dating relationship could be a link between family of origin violence and intimate partner violence. During the past two decades, dating violence has become an issue of growing concern to the academic and policy communities. This study examined the intergenerational transmission of violence among 1,000 college students at a large southeastern university. Participants responded to questions measuring several forms of violence in the family of origin as well as victimization and perpetration of psychological and physical violence in a dating relationship. Data were analyzed to determine whether social learning principles were predictive of gender-specific patterns of violence transmission.