Unpacking the consequences of adolescent dating violence victimization: Adult victimization and perpetration across intimate and non-intimate contexts

Abstract

Adolescent dating violence victimization is a prevalent public health issue with potential long-term consequences, yet little is known about its impact on different forms of adult violence. This study investigated the long-term association between adolescent dating violence victimization and violence involvement in adulthood, differentiating between intimate partner violence (IPV) and non-intimate partner violence (non-IPV), as well as victimization and perpetration. It also examined whether these associations vary by gender and race/ethnicity. This study used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) (N = 2164). Sibling fixed effects logistic regression models were employed to control for unobserved family-level heterogeneity. Interaction terms tested for gender and racial/ethnic differences. Adolescent dating violence victimization was significantly associated with increased odds of non-IPV perpetration (OR = 2.387, 95% CI [1.183, 4.815]) and IPV victimization (OR = 1.880, 95% CI [1.266, 2.792]) in adulthood. When disaggregating by type, psychological dating violence victimization was linked to higher odds of non-IPV perpetration and IPV victimization, whereas physical dating violence victimization was more strongly associated with both IPV victimization and perpetration. No significant patterns of gender or racial/ethnic heterogeneity were observed. Findings highlight the developmental continuity of violence and the importance of distinguishing between violence types and roles. Adolescent dating violence victimization, particularly in psychological and physical forms, poses a significant long-term risk for adult violence involvement. These results underscore the need for early prevention efforts and relationship education that address both victimization and perpetration in diverse contexts.

Keywords: adolescent dating violence victimization; intimate partner violence; life course; longitudinal study; perpetration; sibling fixed effects; victimization.

FIGURE 1

Conceptual framework linking adolescent dating violence victimization to adulthood violence victimization and perpetration. IPV, intimate partner violence.