The intergenerational transmission of emotional intimate partner violence: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose: Exposure to emotional IPV and abuse is an important source of population health burden and has negative consequences for the healthy development of children, including the subsequent IPV perpetration. Yet, limited research has been conducted to examine emotional violence as a separate and important subtype of intimate partner violence. To address this gap in the literature, the present systematic review and meta-analysis explored the association between childhood exposure to violence and the perpetration of emotional intimate partner violence (EIPV) in adulthood. Methods: A search of the literature across MEDLINE, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Embase, and Scopus identified 5,152 papers, 26 of which were selected for a random effects meta-analysis. Additional sub-analyses were conducted stratified by sex, type of exposure, and country income status. Results: Children who experienced emotional IPV were two times more likely to perpetrate the same violence in adulthood than compared to unexposed children. Strong to moderate associations were also observed in sub-analyses stratified by type of exposure, sex, and studies conducted in low- and middle-income countries compared to high income countries. Exposure to EIPV was the strongest predictor of the intergenerational effect, however there were no substantial differences in the association by sex or country income status. Conclusions: Findings suggest that EIPV is experienced on a generational level and has serious implications for individuals across the lifespan, irrespective of one’s gender and socioeconomic status. Limitations of the present study and recommendations for future research and clinical practice are critically discussed.