Intergenerational transmission and dating violence victimization: Evidence from a sample of female university students in Manitoba

Abstract

Using a sample of 120 female students attending 3 universities in Manitoba, the influence of different modes of intergenerational transmission on women's experiences of physical assault and sexual coercion in dating relationships was examined. Dating violence victimization was common: 26.9% experienced physical assault, among whom 41% suffered injuries. In addition, 36.4% of the sample experienced sexual coercion. Intergenerational transmission played a role in women's dating violence victimization. The most important mode of intergenerational transmission was imitation, suggesting that witnessing inter-parental violence must be addressed to improve the developmental health of exposed children.