CHILDHOOD PRECURSORS OF ADULT INTERPARTNER VIOLENCE

Although childhood exposure to violence in one's family of origin is o ne of the most consistent correlates of later adult domestic violence, little is known about the developmental pathways or specific mechanis ms of intergenerational transmission. this article (a) reviews the cur rent knowledge regarding early exposure to domestic violence as precur sor of later domestic violence, (b) identifier developmental considera tions related to the impact of exposure, and (c) describes several con ceptual models of the influence of early exposure. Research on both ad ults and children is reviewed. Implications for research focus on oper ational definitions, sex differences, life-span development, relationa l dynamics, typologies, and mediating processes. Implications for clin ical practice focus on early socialization experience in adult treatme nt, and the development of early prevention programs.