Childhood Victimization and Partner Violence during Pregnancy (1 CE)

This course is for: Clinical Psychologists, Marriage & Family Therapists, and Counselors

Course By: Ken Springer, PhD

Content By:  Narayan, A. J., Hagan, M. J., Cohodes, E., Rivera, L. M., & Lieberman, A. F. (2019). Early childhood victimization and physical intimate partner violence during pregnancy: A developmental and person-oriented approach. Journal of interpersonal Violence, 34(1), 3-26.

Course Description: Intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization during pregnancy is linked to negative physical and mental health outcomes for both mother and offspring. Childhood victimization predisposes a person to IPV victimization later in life, but little is known about whether mothers who experienced early childhood victimization are at greater risk of IPV victimization during pregnancy. The present study examined whether risk factors for physical IPV victimization during pregnancy include early childhood victimization, as well as unplanned pregnancy and prenatal substance use. The researchers found that mothers with a history of early childhood victimization were more likely to experience physical IPV victimization during pregnancy, particularly if the pregnancy was unplanned. These and other study findings have implications for physical IPV victimization prevention during pregnancy.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the conceptual framework in which early childhood victimization and other adverse  experiences increase the risk of IPV victimization during pregnancy
2. Describe the main study findings concerning the relationship among early childhood victimization, prenatal drug use, unplanned pregnancy, and IPV victimization during pregnancy
3. Integrate the strengths and limitations of the study, and summarize the clinical implications for physical IPV victimization prevention during pregnancy

Course Outline:

• Read and understand Early childhood victimization and physical intimate partner violence during pregnancy: A developmental and person-oriented approach
• Review the Course Description and Learning Objectives
• Analyze the conceptual framework wherein adverse experiences (e.g., early childhood victimization) increase the risk of IPV victimization during pregnancy
• Integrate the key study findings, strengths, limitations, and clinical implications
• Work through the post-test questions, using the article as the sole basis for your answers
• Revisit the article for any missed questions and/or to better understand the relationship between early childhood victimization and IPV victimization during pregnancy, and the role and extent of unplanned pregnancy and other maternal variables

Approvals: