Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Childhood Sexual Abuse and Sociodemographic Factors Prospectively Associated with Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Among South African Heterosexual Men

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background

Intimate partner violence directed at women by men continues to be a global concern. However, little is known about the factors associated with perpetrating intimate partner violence among heterosexual men.

Purpose

History of childhood sexual abuse and other sociodemographic variables were examined as potential factors associated with severe intimate partner violence perpetration toward women in a sample of heterosexual men in South Africa.

Methods

Longitudinal logistic generalized estimating equations examined associations of childhood sexual abuse and sociodemographic variables at baseline with intimate partner violence perpetration at subsequent time points.

Results

Among participants with a steady female partner, 21.81 % (190/ 871) reported perpetrating intimate partner violence in the past year at baseline. Having a history of childhood sexual abuse (p < .001), binge drinking (p = .002), being employed (p = .050), and more difficulty controlling sexual impulses in order to use a condom (p = .006) at baseline were associated with self-reported intimate partner violence perpetration in the past year at subsequent time points.

Conclusions

With high levels of recent severe physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence perpetration in South Africa, comprehensive interventions are urgently needed. To more fully address gender-based violence, it is important to address associated factors, including exposure to childhood sexual abuse that could impact behavior later in life and that have long-lasting and deleterious effects on men and their female partners.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Watts C, Zimmerman C. Violence against women: Global scope and magnitude. Lancet. 2002;359(9313):1232–1237.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. World Health Organization/London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Preventing intimate partner and sexual violence against women: Taking action and generating evidence. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2010. http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2010/9789241564007_eng.pdf. Accessibility verified July 5, 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  3. World Health Organization. Violence against women. Geneva, Switzerland; 2013. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs239/en/ Accessibility verified July 5, 2016.

  4. Garcia-Moreno C, Jansen, HA, Ellsberg, M, Heise, L, Watts, CH, WHO Multi-country Study on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence against Women Study Team,. Prevalence of intimate partner violence: Findings from the WHO multi-country study on women’s health and domestic violence. Lancet. 2006;368(9543):1260–1269.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Dunkle KL, Jewkes RK, Brown HC, Gray GE, McIntryre JA, Harlow SD. Gender-based violence, relationship power, and risk of HIV infection in women attending antenatal clinics in South Africa. Lancet. 2004;363(9419):1415–1421.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Dunkle KL, Jewkes RK, Nduna M, et al. Perpetration of partner violence and HIV risk behaviour among young men in the rural Eastern Cape, South Africa. AIDS (London, England). 2006;20(16):2107–2114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Seedat M, Van Niekerk A, Jewkes R, Suffla S, Ratele K. Violence and injuries in South Africa: Prioritising an agenda for prevention. Lancet. 2009;374(9694):1011–1022.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Gass JD, Stein DJ, Williams DR, Seedat S. Intimate partner violence, health behaviours, and chronic physical illness among South African women. South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde. 2010;100(9):582–585.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Swart LA, Seedat M, Stevens G, Ricardo I. Violence in adolescents’ romantic relationships: Findings from a survey amongst school-going youth in a South African community. J Adolesc. 2002;25(4):385–395.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Gupta J, Silverman JG, Hemenway D, Acevedo-Garcia D, Stein DJ, Williams DR. Physical violence against intimate partners and related exposures to violence among South African men. CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l’Association medicale canadienne 2008;179(6):535–541.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Townsend L, Jewkes R, Mathews C, et al. HIV risk behaviours and their relationship to intimate partner violence (intimate partner violence) among men who have multiple female sexual partners in Cape Town, South Africa. AIDS Behav. 2011;15(1):132–141.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Jewkes R, Sikweyiya Y, Morrell R, Dunkle K. Gender inequitable masculinity and sexual entitlement in rape perpetration South Africa: Findings of a cross-sectional study. PloS one. 2011;6(12):e29590.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Fulu E, Jewkes R, Roselli T, Garcia-Moreno C. Prevalence of and factors associated with male perpetration of intimate partner violence: Findings from the UN multi-country cross-sectional study on men and violence in Asia and the Pacific. Lancet Glob Health. 2013;1(4):e187–207.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Jewkes R, Dunkle K, Nduna M, et al. Factors associated with HIV sero-status in young rural south African women: Connections between intimate partner violence and HIV Int J Epidemiol. 2006;35(6):1461–1468.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Kalichman SC, Simbayi LC, Kaufman M, et al. Gender attitudes, sexual violence, and HIV/AIDS risks among men and women in Cape Town, South Africa. J. Sex Res. 2005;42(4):299–305.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Jewkes R, Dunkle K, Koss MP, et al. Rape perpetration by young, rural South African men: Prevalence, patterns and risk factors.Soc Sci Med (1982). 2006;63(11):2949–2961.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Abrahams N, Jewkes R, Hoffman M, Laubsher R. Sexual violence against intimate partners in Cape Town: Prevalence and risk factors reported by men. Bull World Health Organ. 2004;82:330–337.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Abrahams N, Jewkes R, Laubscher R, Hoffman M. Intimate partner violence: Prevalence and risk factors for men in Cape Town, South Africa. Violence Vict. 2006;21(2):247–264.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Millett LS, Kohl PL, Jonson-Reid M, Drake B, Petra M. Child maltreatment victimization and subsequent perpetration of young adult intimate partner violence: An exploration of mediating factors. Child Maltreatment. 2013;18(2):71–84.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  20. McKinney C, Caetano R, Ramisetty-Mikler S, Nelson S. Childhood family violence and perpetration and victimization of intimate partner violence: Findings from a national population based study of couples. Ann Epidemiol 2009;19(1):25–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Jemmott, JB 3rd, Jemmott LS, O’Leary A, et al. Cluster-randomized controlled trial of an HIV/sexually transmitted infection risk-reduction intervention for South African men. Am J Public Health. 2014;104(3):467–473.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  22. Strauss M, Hamby S, Boney-McCoy S, Sugerman, DB. The revised conflict tactics scale (CTS2). J Fam Issues 1996;17(3):283–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Straus MA, Mickey EL. Reliability, validity, and prevalence of partner violence measured by the conflict tactics scales in male-dominant nations. Aggress Violent Behav. 2012;17:463–474.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. O’Leary A, Jemmott JB 3rd, Jemmott LS, et al. Moderation and mediation of an effective HIV risk-reduction intervention for South African adolescents. Ann Behav Med. 2012;44(2):181–191.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  25. Jemmott JB 3rd, Jemmott LS, Fong GT, Morales KH. Effectiveness of an HIV/STD risk-reduction intervention for adolescents when implemented by community-based organizations: A cluster-randomized controlled trial. Am J Public Health. 2010;100(4):720–726.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. Jemmott LS, Jemmott JB 3rd, O’Leary A. Effects on sexual risk behavior and STD rate of brief HIV/STD prevention interventions for African American women in primary care settings. Am J Public Health. 2007;97(6):1034–1040.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  27. Jemmott JB 3rd, Jemmott LS, Braverman PK, Fong GT. HIV/STD risk reduction interventions for African American and Latino adolescent girls at an adolescent medicine clinic: A randomized controlled trial. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2005;159(5):440–449.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Jemmott JB 3rd, Jemmott LS, Fong GT. Abstinence and safer sex HIV risk-reduction interventions for African American adolescents: A randomized controlled trial. J Am Med Assoc. 1998;279(19):1529–1536.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Jemmott JB 3rd, Jemmott LS, Fong GT. Reductions in HIV risk-associated sexual behaviors among black male adolescents: Effects of an AIDS prevention intervention. Am J Public Health. 1992;82(3):372–377.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  30. Metzger DS, Koblin B, Turner C, et al. Randomized controlled trial of audio computer-assisted self-interviewing: Utility and acceptability in longitudinal studies. HIVNET vaccine preparedness study protocol team. Am J Epidemiol. 2000;152(2):99–106.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Hewett PC, Mensch BS, Erulkar AS. Consistency in the reporting of sexual behaviour by adolescent girls in Kenya: A comparison of interviewing methods. Sex Transm Infect, 80 (Suppl 2). 2004, p. ii43–48.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  32. Johnson TP, Fendrich M, Mackesy-Amiti ME. Computer literacy and the accuracy of substance use reporting in an ACASI survey. Soc Sci Comput Rev. 2010;28(4):515–523.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Liang K-Y, Zeger S. Longitudinal data analysis using generalized linear models. Biometrika. 1986;73(1):13–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Foran HM, O’Leary KD. Alcohol and intimate partner violence: A meta-analytic review. Clin Psychol Rev. 2008;28(7):1222–1234.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Benson ML, Fox, GL. When violence hits home: How economics and neighborhood play a role. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice;2004.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Tsai AC, Leiter K, Heisler M, et al. Prevalence and correlates of forced sex perpetration and victimization in Botswana and Swaziland. Am J Public Health. 2011;101(6):1068–1074.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  37. Kim HK, Laurent HK, Capaldi DM, Feingold A. Men’s aggression toward women: A 10-year panel study. J Marriage Fam. 2008;70(5):1169–1187.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  38. Lee RD, Walters, ML, Hall, JE, Basile, KC. Behavioral and attitudinal factors differentiating male intimate partner violence perpetrators with and without a history of childhood family violence. J Fam Violence. 2012;28(1):85–94.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Watt ME, Scrandis DA. Traumatic childhood exposures in the lives of male perpetrators of female intimate partner violence. J Interpers Violence. 2013;28(14):2813–2830.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Shonkoff JP, Boyce WT, McEwen BS. Neuroscience, molecular biology, and the childhood roots of health disparities: Building a new framework for health promotion and disease prevention. JAMA. 2009;301(21):2252–2259.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Roberts AL, McLaughlin KA, Conron KJ, Koenen KC. Adulthood stressors, history of childhood adversity, and risk of perpetration of intimate partner violence. Am J Prev Med. 2011;40(2):128–138.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  42. Welles SL, Corbin TJ, Rich JA, Reed E, Raj A. Intimate partner violence among men having sex with men, women, or both: Early-life sexual and physical abuse as antecedents. J Community Health. 2011;36(3):477–485.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. White H, Widom C. Intimate partner violence among abused and neglected children in young adulthood: The mediating effects of early aggression, antisocial personality, hostility and alcohol problems. Aggress Behav. 2003;29(4):332–345.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Widom CS, Czaja S, Dutton MA. Child abuse and neglect and intimate partner violence victimization and perpetration: A prospective investigation. Child Abuse Negl. 2014;38(4):650–663.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Stoltenborgh M, van Ijzendoorn, MH, Euser, EM, Bakermans-Kranenburg, MJ A global perspective on child sexual abuse: Meta-analysis of prevalence around the world. Child Maltreatment. 2011;16(2):79–101.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Santana MC, Raj A, Decker MR, La Marche A, Silverman JG. Masculine gender roles associated with increased sexual risk and intimate partner violence perpetration among young adult men. J Urban Health.2006;83(4):575–585.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  47. Krishnan S, Rocca C, Hubbard A, et al. Do changes in spousal employment status lead to domestic violence? Insights from a prospective study in Bangalore, India. Soc Sci Med. 2010;70(136):e43.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Kalichman S, Simbay LC, Cain D, et al. Sexual assault, sexual risks and gender attitudes in a community sample of South African men. AIDS Care. 2007;19(20):e7.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Mathews S, Jewkes R, Abrahams N. ‘I had a hard life’ exploring childhood adversity in the shaping of masculinities among men who killed an intimate partner in South Africa. Brit J Criminol. 2011;51(6):960–977.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Gupta J, Reed E, Kelly J, Stein DJ, Williams DR. Men’s exposure to human rights violations and relations with perpetration of intimate partner violence in South Africa. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2012;66(6):e2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Decker M, Seage G, Hemenway D, et al. Intimate partner violence functions as both a risk marker and risk factor for women’s HIV infection: Findings from Indian husband-wife dyads. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2009;51 593–600.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We appreciate the contributions of Craig Carty, MS, Janet Hsu, BA, Loretta S. Jemmott, PhD, Pretty Ndyebi, BA, Lulama Sidloyi, BA, and Joanne C. Tyler, ScD, without which this research would not have been possible.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Fagin Hall, 2L (rm. 223), 418 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-4217, USA

    Anne M. Teitelman PhD, MSN, FAANP, FAAN, FNP-BC

  2. University of Pennsylvania, Fagin Hall, 2L (rm. 223), 418 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-4217, USA

    Anne M. Teitelman PhD, MSN, FAANP, FAAN, FNP-BC

  3. Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, 3215 Market Street, Room 555, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Scarlett L. Bellamy PhD

  4. Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    John B. Jemmott III PhD

  5. Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    John B. Jemmott III PhD

  6. School of Social Work, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Larry Icard PhD

  7. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Ann O’Leary PhD

  8. School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Samira Ali PhD

  9. Haverford College, Haverford, PA, USA

    Zolani Ngwane PhD

  10. Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa

    Monde Makiwane PhD

Authors
  1. Anne M. Teitelman PhD, MSN, FAANP, FAAN, FNP-BC
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Scarlett L. Bellamy PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. John B. Jemmott III PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Larry Icard PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ann O’Leary PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Samira Ali PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Zolani Ngwane PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Monde Makiwane PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anne M. Teitelman PhD, MSN, FAANP, FAAN, FNP-BC.

Ethics declarations

Authors’ Statement of Conflict of Interest and Adherence to Ethical Standards

Authors Teitelman, Bellamy, Jemmott, Icard, O’Leary, Ali, Ngwane, and Makiwane declare that they have no conflict of interest. All procedures, including the informed consent process, were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000.

Financial Disclosure

None reported.

Funding

This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health grants R01 HD053270 to John B. Jemmott III and K01 MH080649 to Anne M. Teitelman from the National Institute of Mental Health, with additional support from the Penn Center for AIDS Research, funded by grant P30 AI045008 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Role of the Sponsors

The National Institute had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; and preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript.

Disclaimer

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Teitelman, A.M., Bellamy, S.L., Jemmott, J.B. et al. Childhood Sexual Abuse and Sociodemographic Factors Prospectively Associated with Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Among South African Heterosexual Men. ann. behav. med. 51, 170–178 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-016-9836-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-016-9836-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation