Associations between child maltreatment and dating violence among Brazilian college students

Abstract

Background

The association between childhood maltreatment – a type of adverse childhood experience (ACE) - and dating violence is well-established in high-income countries. However, evidence on the relationship between childhood maltreatment and dating violence in low and middle-income countries is limited.

Objective

We examined the associations between childhood maltreatment and dating violence among college students in Brazil.

Participants and setting

Participants consisted of a convenience sample of students recruited primarily from undergraduate courses in two states in southern Brazil.

Methods

Data were collected through an online survey between December 2020 and August 2021. The analytic sample consisted of 503 participants, most of whom were women (71%), with an average age of 24 years. The survey instrument included questions about ACEs, including four types of childhood maltreatment (sexual, physical, emotional abuse, and neglect), and dating violence. Statistical analyses included univariate descriptive analyses, chi-squared tests, and two-step linear regressions. Stratified analyses by gender were also conducted.

Results

Our study highlights the association between childhood maltreatment and dating violence among university students in southern Brazil. Those with a history of maltreatment are more likely to perpetrate and experience dating violence. In addition, our findings highlight associations between childhood sexual abuse and dating violence victimization among women, and substance use with dating violence perpetration among men.

Conclusions

The findings of this study underscore the need for dating violence prevention services on college campuses, particularly for students with a history of childhood maltreatment and adverse experiences.