Association Between Childhood Adversities and Intimate Partner Violence in Women During Adulthood: Insights from Urban Bangladesh–A Cross Sectional Study

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) constitutes a significant public health crisis worldwide, with profound social and economic implications. This cross-sectional study explores the linkage between childhood adversities and IPV among married women in urban Bangladesh. From January to December 2018, the research involved 230 female participants from 3 urban sub-districts of Dhaka city. Utilizing the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) questionnaire alongside an IPV questionnaire from the modified version of the Abuse Assessment Screen, this study examined the prevalence and severity of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to identify predictors of IPV. Findings reveal a strikingly high prevalence of IPV, with 91.7% of participants reporting experiences of some form of IPV. The frequency of IPV varied, with substantial portions experiencing multiple forms of abuse. The regression analysis indicated that higher ACE scores (<i>B</i> = 0.24, <i>P</i> < .05), inability to pay utility bills (<i>B</i> = 0.41, <i>P</i> < .05), and smoking at home (<i>B</i> = 0.53, <i>P</i> < .05) significantly contributed to increased IPV scores. The study underscores the profound impact of childhood adversities on the likelihood of experiencing IPV in adulthood, advocating for comprehensive public health strategies that address the prevention of violence across the lifespan. It emphasizes the need for targeted interventions that not only address the immediate factors contributing to IPV but also the broader socioeconomic issues that underpin such behaviors.