Witnessing violent crime in adolescence and the continuation of partner violence victimization from adolescence to early adulthood

The relationship between witnessing violent crime in adolescence and the continuation of partner violence victimization from adolescence to early adulthood was examined using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health Waves I-III. Participants who were age 13-17 years and reported physical partner violence victimization within the 18 months prior to Wave II interview (1994-95) were followed-up at Wave III (2001), when they again reported physical victimization as well as sexual partner violence victimization (n=423). Participants self-reported witnessing violent crime (someone being shot or stabbed) in the 12 months prior to Wave I interview. Chi-square tests and log binary regression models including demographic and experiential controls were employed. Forty-three percent of participants who reported relationships at both waves continued partner violence victimization between adolescence and early adulthood, and 20% witnessed violent crime in the 12 months prior to Wave I. In unadjusted analyses, those who witnessed violent crime were significantly more likely (RR=1.45, 95% CI 1.15 - 1.82) than those who did not to continue partner violence victimization in early adulthood; this association was not modified by age, gender or race/ethnicity. In multivariable models adjusting for gender, age, urbanicity, and childhood maltreatment history, the effect estimate for witnessing violent crime was only slightly attenuated (RR=1.42, 95% CI 1.12 – 1.80). Adolescent victims of partner violence who are exposed to contextual violence are at a higher risk of continued victimization. Social learning of victimization and the normalization of violence may make rejection of violent relationships more difficult for some young persons.