Domestic Violence and Intergenerational Aggression (1 CE)

Number of Credits:  1

This course is for: Clinical Psychologists, Counselors, and LMFTs

Course By: Joel Austin, PharmD

Content By: Juan S.C., Washington H.M., Kurlychek M.C. (2020). Breaking the Intergenerational Cycle: Partner Violence, Child–Parent Attachment, and Children’s Aggressive Behaviors. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 35 (5-6):1158-1181. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0886260517692996

Course Description: Most research on the intergenerational cycles of exposure to partner violence in the childhood and later exhibition of aggressive behavior focuses on outcomes for adolescents; however, there is not as much research on how domestic/partner violence affects the youngest and often most vulnerable populations. A greater understanding of the affect of partner violence on childhood behavior could lead to more efficient ways of identifying risk factors and establishing treatment processes. The referenced article uses the Fragile Families and Well-Being Study to evaluate the impact of exposure to domestic violence on later aggressive or violent behaviors.  Focusing on young childhood behavioral outcomes, researchers found that increased domestic violence experience at 3 years old led to increased aggression at age(s) 5-9.  But, contrary to the hypothesis, they did not find significant evidence linking parental attachment to a child’s behavior moderations.          

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the 3 central aims of the study and evaluate the methods used to explore the impact of partner violence on future childhood/adolescent aggressive behavior.
2. Identify what constitutes partner violence and the human physiological processes that are undertaken during periods of concurrent stress and fear.
3. Identify 3 strengths and 3 weaknesses of the current study as discussed by the authors.

Course Outline:  

• Read and understand Breaking the Intergenerational Cycle: Partner Violence, Child–Parent Attachment, and Children’s Aggressive Behaviors
• Review the Course Descriptions and Learning Objectives
• Consider the factors related to the prevalence of intergenerational domestic violence based on household exposure in early childhood
• Work through the post-test questions; keep in mind that answer selections should be derived from the respective article
• Re-assess for any missed questions, returning to the referenced article to better understand the relationship between partner violence experiences and future aggressive tendencies in children

Approvals: