Bidirectional Partner Violence Among Homeless Young Adults: Risk Factors and Outcomes

Authors

Kimberly A. Tyler, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Lisa A. Melander, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
HarmoniJoie Noel, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

6-2009

Comments

Published in Journal of Interpersonal Violence 24:6 (June 2009), pp. 1014–1035; doi 10.1177/0886260508319364 Copyright © 2009 Sage Publications. Used by permission. http://jiv.sagepub.com

Abstract

One of the most prevalent forms of violence in contemporary society is the victimization of intimate partners. Although it has been established that homeless young people experience high levels of victimization on the street, little is known about partner violence (PV) experiences among this group, especially bidirectional violence. As such, the purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence of PV and bidirectional violence and to investigate risk factors and outcomes of this form of violence using a sample of homeless young adults. Overall, 59% of the sample experienced bidirectional violence. Multivariate results reveal that sexual abuse and neglect are significant correlates of PV. In addition, being either a victim or perpetrator of PV is associated with more severe substance use and higher levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Finally, there is support for bidirectional violence among homeless young adults even after controlling for early histories of maltreatment.