Intergenerational Transmission of Courtship Violence: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between family of origin violence and dating violence. A meta-analytic approach was used to conduct a quantitative review of the relevant research literature. The results are based on data from 35 studies of dating violence. The gender of respondents, whether family of origin violence was witnessed or experienced, and whether dating violence was perpetrated or received were considered as part of the analysis. The findings suggest a weak to moderate relationship between violence in the family of origin and dating violence. Separate analysis within and between the male and female sub-samples revealed several significant differences. The findings suggest that witnessing inter-parental violence has a stronger relationship with involvement in a violent dating relationship for males, while experiencing violence as a child has a stronger relationship with involvement in a violent dating relationship for females. The findings also suggest that violence in the family of origin may have a stronger relationship with males perpetrating and females receiving violence in dating relationships.