American Journal of Psychiatry 163(5) May 2006 : 885-892

This journal article reports the results of an investigation of the assumption that the association between intimate partner violence (IPV) and psychiatric disorders is due to a causal link. The basis for the questioning of that assumption results from a number of longitudinal studies documenting adolescents with psychological disorders being over-represented in later life among adults involved in IPV. Participants were members of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study. The study tracked a representative birth cohort of 1,037 young people (52% male, 48% female) from adolescent mental disorder diagnosis at age 18 years, through either abusive or non-abusive relationships between ages 24 and 26 years, to re-diagnosis of mental disorders at age 26 years. The Partner Conflict Calendar tool was used to identify individuals in abusive relationships (i.e. resulting in injury and/or official intervention). The authors argue that both male and female adolescents with psychiatric disorders were at greatest risk of becoming involved in abusive relationships in adulthood. The authors further argue, having controlled for prior histories of psychiatric disorder, women involved in abusive relationships had an increased risk of adult psychiatric morbidity. However, in similar circumstances men did not. Therefore the authors conclude that adolescent psychiatric disorders increase risk of involvement in IPV for both males and females and that IPV is a contributing factor in psychiatric disorders among adult females, but not adult males.