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Is there a female cycle of violence after exposure to childhood maltreatment? A meta-analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 April 2019

Mareike Augsburger Open the ORCID record for Mareike Augsburger [Opens in a new window] ,
Kayley Basler  and
Andreas Maercker Open the ORCID record for Andreas Maercker [Opens in a new window]
Mareike Augsburger*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
Kayley Basler
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
Andreas Maercker
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
*
Author for correspondence: Mareike Augsburger, E-mail: m.augsburger@psychologie.uzh.ch
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Abstract

Several studies have demonstrated a vicious cycle of violence, in which experiences of childhood maltreatment (CM) transition into later perpetration of aggressive acts. But evidence for the presence of this cycle in adult women is mixed. The aim of this meta-analysis is to investigate the strength of associations and the mechanisms underlying a cycle of violence in women. Databases were searched for terms related to female aggression, violence, delinquency, antisocial behavior, or offending in addition to exposure to traumatic experiences, abuse, or maltreatment during childhood. Only peer-reviewed studies were included that investigated associations between any type of CM and different acts of aggression. Multi-level meta-analyses were applied, as well as meta-regressions, all based on Cohen's d. K = 34 studies were identified. The overall association between exposure to CM was in the positive but small range (Cohen's d = 0.30). There was no significant difference between specific types of abuse and/or neglect. However, associations were smaller for the perpetration of sexual aggression and violent crime compared with other acts of aggression. These findings underline the long-lasting and devastating impact of CM, including types of maltreatment that were long assumed to be less severe. Due to the limited number of available studies, interactions between types of CM and aggression could not be modeled, thus compromising their probable interacting contribution to the cycle of violence. Early interventions targeting families and women at risk are critical in order to prevent ongoing cycles of violence.

Keywords

Abuseaggressionchildhood maltreatmentcycle of violencemeta-analysisneglectperpetrationvictimization
Type
Review Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 49 , Issue 11 , August 2019 , pp. 1776 - 1786
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019 

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