title: Adult intimate partner violence perpetrators are significantly more likely to have witnessed intimate partner violence as a child than nonperpetrators.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In a previous study, no association was found between intimate partner violence (IPV) victims and being an adult who witnessed IPV as a child (ACW).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present study was to determine whether perpetrators of IPV (Perps) could be identified in a busy emergency department (ED) and whether Perps were more likely than non-Perps to be ACWs. The hypothesis was that Perps differed significantly from non-Perps in being ACWs, in being victims of IPV, and in demographics.
  
  
  METHODS
  The design was a cross-sectional cohort of patients presenting to an academic ED during randomized 4-hour shifts. A choice of computer touch screen data vs paper format was offered. Data collected included demographics as well as scales to determine whether subjects were a Perp, victim, and/or ACW of IPV. Six validated scales were used to screen and confirm victims, Perps, and ACWs. Predictor variables were ACW, ongoing IPV, and demographics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred thirty-six subjects were entered, 207 had complete data sets. Forty-four (19%) were Perps. By univariate analysis, there was a significant correlation of Perps and ACW (P = .001 by single question) and between Perp and being victims (P = .001). No other univariate variables were significantly correlated. By regression analysis, significant predictors of Perp included ACW and spouse drug abuse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Perps were identified in a busy ED setting. Perps were significantly more likely than non-Perps to be ACWs, but not more likely to be victims. Spouse drug abuse and ACW were the 2 significant predictors of Perp.
authors.affiliation: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 95817, USA. aernst56@aol.com
authors.forename: Amy A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ernst
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Brittany
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Coffman
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: Kenlyn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hobley
authors.forename: Todd
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dettmer
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lehrman
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Merhege
authors.forename: Bernadette
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Corum
authors.forename: Tuhama
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rihani
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valdez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis