Understanding Connections among Abuse and Violence in the Life Course

Abstract

Past international research has linked adverse childhood experiences to opportunities exposed to violence as well as health and psychological problems in adulthood. Theoretical models such as social learning theory, suggest that abusive and violent behaviors are easily learned, last and even transmitted to the next generation. Yet, none of research in Korea has focused on the connections among abuse and violence in the life course. This study aims to analyze connections among abuse and violence in various life stages, for instance, child abuse, peer violence, dating violence, domestic violence and elder abuse using the nationwide sample of 4,008 adults in the retrospective life experience survey in 2017. Results show that approximately 78.9% had adverse childhood experiences and those reporting adverse childhood experiences tended to report repeated violent experiences in adulthood as well as current low-level of life satisfaction and high depression.