Long-term impact of family arguments and physical violence on adult functioning at age 30 years: findings from the simmons longitudinal study.
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively examine the extent to which an increase in family arguments by age 15 years and the occurrence of family physical violence by age 18 years are related to deficits in key domains of adult functioning at age 30 years.


METHODS
The 346 participants were part of a single-age cohort from a predominately white working-class community whose psychosocial development has been traced since age 5 years. Family arguments and violence were assessed through self-reports during adolescence. Developmentally relevant areas of current adult functioning were measured by self-reports, structured diagnostic interviews, and clinical interviewer ratings.


RESULTS
Both family arguments and physical violence were significantly related to compromised functioning across multiple areas of adult functioning. Although many associations were somewhat attenuated after controlling for sex, other early family adversities, and family history of disorder, most relations retained statistical significance. Both risk factors were linked with later mental health problems and deficits in psychological and occupational/career functioning. Family violence was also linked to poorer physical health at age 30 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings underscore the potential long-term impact of troubled family interactions and highlight the critical importance of early intervention programs for youths experiencing either verbal conflict or physical violence in the home.
Paradis
Angela D
AD
Drs. Paradis, Reinherz and Giaconia and Ms. Ward are with the Simmons Longitudinal Study, Simmons College School of Social Work; Dr. Beardslee is with the Department of Psychiatry, Children's Hospital Boston; and Dr. Fitzmaurice is with the Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health and Laboratory for Psychiatric Biostatistics, McLean Hospital.
Reinherz
Helen Z
HZ
Drs. Paradis, Reinherz and Giaconia and Ms. Ward are with the Simmons Longitudinal Study, Simmons College School of Social Work; Dr. Beardslee is with the Department of Psychiatry, Children's Hospital Boston; and Dr. Fitzmaurice is with the Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health and Laboratory for Psychiatric Biostatistics, McLean Hospital. Electronic address: helen.reinherz@simmons.edu.
Giaconia
Rose M
RM
Drs. Paradis, Reinherz and Giaconia and Ms. Ward are with the Simmons Longitudinal Study, Simmons College School of Social Work; Dr. Beardslee is with the Department of Psychiatry, Children's Hospital Boston; and Dr. Fitzmaurice is with the Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health and Laboratory for Psychiatric Biostatistics, McLean Hospital.
Beardslee
William R
WR
Drs. Paradis, Reinherz and Giaconia and Ms. Ward are with the Simmons Longitudinal Study, Simmons College School of Social Work; Dr. Beardslee is with the Department of Psychiatry, Children's Hospital Boston; and Dr. Fitzmaurice is with the Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health and Laboratory for Psychiatric Biostatistics, McLean Hospital.
Ward
Kirsten
K
Drs. Paradis, Reinherz and Giaconia and Ms. Ward are with the Simmons Longitudinal Study, Simmons College School of Social Work; Dr. Beardslee is with the Department of Psychiatry, Children's Hospital Boston; and Dr. Fitzmaurice is with the Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health and Laboratory for Psychiatric Biostatistics, McLean Hospital.
Fitzmaurice
Garrett M
GM
Drs. Paradis, Reinherz and Giaconia and Ms. Ward are with the Simmons Longitudinal Study, Simmons College School of Social Work; Dr. Beardslee is with the Department of Psychiatry, Children's Hospital Boston; and Dr. Fitzmaurice is with the Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health and Laboratory for Psychiatric Biostatistics, McLean Hospital.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054541:Family Conflict / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D009511:New England; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010553:Personality Development; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012931:Social Environment; D055815:Young Adult