Phillips, Alice R;
Williams, Ruth;
Okuoimose, Victoria;
Hiller, Rachel M;
McCrory, Eamon;
Viding, Essi;
Pezzoli, Patrizia;
(2025)
Lived-experience perspectives on the psychological factors linking childhood maltreatment to later intimate partner violence victimization.
European Journal of Psychotraumatology
, 16
(1)
, Article 2524922. 10.1080/20008066.2025.2524922.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Childhood maltreatment is a known risk factor for later intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization, yet the psychological factors connecting these experiences are poorly understood, as are effective strategies for promoting safe intimate relationships after maltreatment. OBJECTIVE: This co-produced qualitative study sought to address these gaps by exploring the perspectives of individuals affected by these experiences. METHOD: We conducted remote 1:1 semi-structured interviews with 16 adults residing in the United Kingdom with a past history of both childhood maltreatment and IPV victimization, and we analysed interviews using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Participants reported that childhood maltreatment may increase vulnerability to IPV victimization through several pathways: an increased reliance on relationships to fulfil previously unmet needs (e.g. love, affection), difficulty in recognizing abuse, changes to threat management strategies (developed as adaptive responses in childhood), and difficulties with self-concept that hinder the ability to prioritize one’s own needs within intimate relationships (e.g. diminished self-worth). Strategies identified to promote safe relationships included fostering self-esteem, learning about healthy relationship dynamics, and reframing past trauma to break cycles of unhealthy relationship patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Participants recognized connections between their childhood experiences and the ways they navigate intimate relationships. They emphasized the importance of understanding and addressing these patterns to prevent recurring abuse, highlighting the need for targeted preventative interventions which address their specific vulnerabilities.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Lived-experience perspectives on the psychological factors linking childhood maltreatment to later intimate partner violence victimization |
| Location: | United States |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1080/20008066.2025.2524922 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2025.2524922 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent. |
| Keywords: | Relationships; qualitative; coproduction; childhood maltreatment; intimate partner violence; prevention; intervention; intergenerational abuse; child abuse; domestic abuse |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences > Clinical, Edu and Hlth Psychology |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10214715 |
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