The Effects of Witnessing Interparental Violence on Youths’ Use of Violence in Non-Intimate Relationships

This study investigates the effects of witnessing interparental violence among Filipino youth on their own use of violence against family members and close friends. The data source for this study was the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey. Perpetration of violence against family and friends among 21-22 year old youth was assessed through 2005 self-reports, and witnessing interparental violence during childhood was assessed through 2002 reports. 14% of females and 4.5% of males perpetrated violence towards family members-only in the 12 months before the survey. About 4% and 3% of females and males, respectively, perpetrated against close friends-only. 4% of females and 3% of males perpetrated violence against both family and friends. Multinomial logistic regression analyses showed that among male young adults, witnessing interparental violence increased the risk of perpetrating violence against family members-only, and both family and friends. Witnessing reciprocal interparental violence also predicted males’ violence towards family and friends. Among females, however, witnessing interparental violence did not increase the risk of violence perpetration. Further research recommendations and programmatic implications are discussed.