Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Best Available Evidence for Preventing Intimate Partner Violence Across the Life Span

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Book cover Handbook of Interpersonal Violence Across the Lifespan

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health problem affecting millions of Americans. In addition to the consequences of injury and death, IPV is associated with a myriad of negative and long-lasting physical and mental health outcomes. Preventing IPV before it starts is critical to improving our nation’s health and well-being. Although more research is needed to determine the prevention strategies with the broadest and most sustained impact, it is important to focus now on the best available evidence for preventing IPV and to assist communities in their prevention efforts. This chapter outlines the six strategies and corresponding approaches that are presented in CDC’s technical package on preventing IPV (Niolon et al. Preventing intimate partner violence across the lifespan: a technical package of programs, policies, and practices. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, 2017). These strategies include those with a focus on preventing IPV from happening in the first place or to prevent it from continuing. They are as follows:

  1. 1.

    Teach safe and healthy relationship skills to adolescents and adults.

  2. 2.

    Engage influential adults and peers in promoting positive relationships and preventing violence among adolescents and young adults.

  3. 3.

    Disrupt the developmental pathways toward partner violence by intervening early to interrupt childhood risk factors associated with later perpetration.

  4. 4.

    Create protective environments that support connectedness and healthy relationships.

  5. 5.

    Strengthen economic supports for families, which addresses socioeconomic risk factors for IPV.

  6. 6.

    Support survivors to increase safety and lessen harms, which includes approaches that mitigate the negative consequences of IPV for survivors and their children and help keep them safe from future violence. Future directions for research on preventing IPV are discussed.

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

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Basile, K. C., DeGue, S., Jones, K., Freire, K., Dills, J., Smith, S. G., & Raiford, J. L. (2016). STOP SV: A technical package to prevent sexual violence. Atlanta: National Center for Injury Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Google Scholar 

  • Black, M. C. (2011). Intimate partner violence and adverse health consequences: Implications for clinicians. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 5, 428–439.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braithwaite, S. R., & Fincham, F. D. (2014). Computer-based prevention of intimate partner violence in marriage. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 54, 12–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Breiding, M. J., Basile, K. C., Smith, S. G., Black, M. C., & Mahendra, R. R. (2015). Intimate partner violence surveillance: Uniform definitions and recommended data elements, Version 2.0. Atlanta: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brotman, L. M., Gouley, K. K., Chesir-Teran, D., Dennis, T., Klein, R. G., & Shrout, P. (2005). Prevention for preschoolers at high risk for conduct problems: Immediate outcomes on parenting practices and child social competence. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 34(4), 724–734.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Browning, C. R. (2002). The span of collective efficacy: Extending social disorganization theory to partner violence. Journal of Marriage and Family, 64(4), 833–850.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Capaldi, D. M., Knoble, N. B., Shortt, J. W., & Kim, H. K. (2012). A systematic review of risk factors for intimate partner violence. Partner Abuse, 3(2), 231–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). Preventing multiple forms of violence: A strategic vision for connecting the dots. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/Strategic_Vision.pdf

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Intimate Partner Violence: Risk and Protective Factors. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/riskprotectivefactors.html

    Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018a). Essentials for childhood framework: Creating safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments for all children. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childabuseandneglect/essentials.html

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018b). The Social-Ecological Model: A Framework for Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/publichealthissue/social-ecologicalmodel.html

  • Chatterji, P., & Markowitz, S. (2005). Does the length of maternity leave affect mental health? Southern Economic Journal, 72(1), 16–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coker, A. L., Fisher, B. S., Bush, H. M., Swan, S. C., Williams, C. M., Clear, E. R., & DeGue, S. (2015). Evaluation of the Green Dot bystander intervention to reduce interpersonal violence among college students from across three campuses. Violence Against Women, 21(12), 1507–1527.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coker, A. L., Bush, H. M., Cook-Craig, P. G., DeGue, S. A., Clear, E. R., Brancato, C. J., … Recktenwald, E. A. (2017). RCT testing bystander effectiveness to reduce violence. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 52(5), 566–578.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunradi, C. B. (2010). Neighborhoods, alcohol outlets, and intimate partner violence: Addressing research gaps in explanatory mechanisms. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 7(3), 799–813.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • David-Ferdon, C., Vivolo-Kantor, A. M., Dahlberg, L. L., Marshall, K. J., Rainford, N., & Hall, J. E. (2016). A comprehensive technical package for the prevention of youth violence and associated risk behaviors. Atlanta: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • D’Inverno, A. S., Reidy, D. E., & Kearns, M. C. (2018). Preventing intimate partner violence through paid parental leave policies. Preventive Medicine, 114, 18–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eckenrode, J., Campa, M., Luckey, D., Henderson, C. R., Cole, R., Kitzman, H., … Olds, D. L. (2010). Long-term effects of prenatal and infancy nurse home visitation of the life course of youth: 19-year follow-up of a randomized trial. Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, 164(1), 9–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehrensaft, M. K., Cohen, P., Brown, J., Smailes, E., Chen, H., & Johnson, J. G. (2003). Intergenerational transmission of partner violence: A 20-year prospective study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71(4), 741–753.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliott, D. E., Bjelajac, P., Fallot, R. D., Markoff, L. S., & Reed, B. G. (2005). Trauma-informed or trauma-denied: Principles and implementation of trauma-informed services for women. Journal of Community Psychology, 33(4), 461–477.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farrington, D. P., Loeber, R., & Ttofi, M. M. (2012). Risk and protective factors for offending. In B. C. Welsh & D. P. Farrington (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of crime prevention (pp. 46–69). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, P. A., & Gilliam, K. S. (2012). Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care: An alternative to residential treatment for high risk children and adolescents. Psychosocial Intervention, 21(2), 195–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forehand, R., Armistead, L., Long, N., Wyckoff, S. C., Kotchick, B. A., Whitaker, D., … Miller, K. S. (2007). Efficacy of a parent-based sexual-risk prevention program for African American preadolescents: A randomized controlled trial. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 161(12), 1123–1129. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.161.12.1123

  • Fortson, B. L., Klevens, J., Merrick, M. T., Gilbert, L. K., & Alexander, S. P. (2016). Preventing child abuse and neglect: A technical package for policy, norm, and programmatic activities. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foshee, V. A., Bauman, K. E., Ennett, S. T., Linder, G. F., Benefield, T., & Suchindran, C. (2004). Assessing the long-term effects of the Safe Dates program and a booster in preventing and reducing adolescent dating violence victimization and perpetration. American Journal of Public Health, 94(4), 619–624.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foshee, V. A., McNaughton Reyes, H. L., Ennett, S. T., Cance, J. D., Bauman, K. E., & Bowling, J. M. (2012). Assessing the effects of families for Safe Dates, a family-based teen dating abuse prevention program. The Journal of Adolescent Health, 51(4), 349–356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.12.029.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foshee, V. A., Reyes, L. M., Agnew-Brune, C. B., Simon, T. R., Vagi, K. J., Lee, R. D., & Suchindran, C. (2014). The effects of the evidence-based Safe Dates dating abuse prevention program on other youth violence outcomes. Prevention Science, 15(6), 907–916.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fowler, K. A., Jack, S. P. D., Lyons, B. H., Betz, C. J., & Petrosky, E. (2018). Surveillance for violent deaths: National Violent Death Reporting System, 18 states, 2014. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 67(2), 1–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gartland, D., Hemphill, S. A., Hegarty, K., & Brown, S. J. (2011). Intimate partner violence during pregnancy and the first year postpartum in an Australian pregnancy cohort study. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 15(5), 570–578.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Health Resources and Services Administration. (2018). Home visiting. Retrieved from citation https://mchb.hrsa.gov/maternal-child-health-initiatives/home-visiting-overview

  • Iverson, K. M., Gradus, J. L., Resick, P. A., Suvak, M. K., Smith, K. F., & Monson, C. M. (2011). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for PTSD and depression symptoms reduces risk for future intimate partner violence among interpersonal trauma survivors. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 79(2), 193–202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kearns, M. C., Reidy, D. E., & Valle, L. A. (2015). The role of alcohol policies in preventing intimate partner violence: A review of the literature. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 76(1), 21–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kiely, M., El-Mohandes, A. A., El-Khorazaty, M. N., & Gantz, M. G. (2010). An integrated intervention to reduce intimate partner violence in pregnancy: A randomized controlled trial. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 115(2), 273–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knox, V., Miller, C., & Gennetian, L. S. (2000). Reforming welfare and rewarding work: A summary of the final report on the Minnesota Family Investment Program. Retrieved from www.mdrc.org/publications/27/summary.html

  • Knox, K. L., Litts, D. A., Talcott, G. W., Feig, J. C., & Caine, E. D. (2003). Risk of suicide and related adverse outcomes after exposure to a suicide prevention programme in the US Air Force: Cohort study. British Medical Journal, 327, 1376–1380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Markman, H. J., Renick, M. J., Floyd, F. J., Stanley, S. M., & Clements, M. (1993). Preventing marital distress through communication and conflict management training: A 4- and 5-year follow-up. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 61(1), 70–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matjasko, J. L., Niolon, P. H., & Valle, L. A. (2013). The role of economic factors and economic support in preventing and escaping from intimate partner violence. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 32(1), 122–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mbilinyi, L. (2015). The Washington State domestic violence housing first program: Cohort 2 agencies final evaluation report. Retrieved from https://wscadv.org/resources/the-washington-state-domestic-violence-housing-first-program-cohort-2-agencies-final-evaluation-report-september-2011-september-2014/

  • McCauley, H. L., Tancredi, D. J., Silverman, J. G., Decker, M. R., Austin, S. B., McCormick, M. C., … Miller, E. (2013). Gender-equitable attitudes, bystander behavior, and recent abuse perpetration against heterosexual dating partners of male high school athletes. American Journal of Public Health, 103(10), 1882–1887.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCollum, E. E., & Stith, S. M. (2008). Couples treatment for interpersonal violence: A review of outcome research literature and current clinical practices. Violence and Victims, 23(2), 187–201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKinney, C. M., Caetano, R., Harris, T. R., & Ebama, M. S. (2009). Alcohol availability and intimate partner violence among US couples. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 33(1), 169–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Menard, A. (2001). Domestic violence and housing: Key policy and program challenges. Violence Against Women, 7(6), 707–720.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Menting, A. T., de Castro, B. O., & Matthys, W. (2013). Effectiveness of The Incredible Years parent training to modify disruptive and prosocial child behavior: A meta-analytic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 33(8), 901–913.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Messing, J. T., Campbell, J., Wilson, J. S., Brown, S., Patchell, B., & Shall, C. (2014). Police departments’ use of the Lethality Assessment Program: A quasi-experimental evaluation. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice. (247456).

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, E., Tancredi, D. J., McCauley, H. L., Decker, M. R., Virata, M. C. D., Anderson, H. A., & Silverman, J. G. (2013). One-year follow-up of a coach-delivered dating violence prevention program: A cluster randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 45, 108–112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Multisystemic Therapy Services. (2016). Multisystemic Therapy (MST) research at a glance: Published MST outcome, implementation, and benchmarking studies. Retrieved from http://mstservices.com/files/outcomestudies.pdf

  • Niolon, P. H., Kearns, M., Dills, J., Rambo, K., Irving, S., Armstead, T., & Gilbert, L. K. (2017). Preventing intimate partner violence across the lifespan: A technical package of programs, policies, and practices. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olds, D. L., Eckenrode, J., Henderson, C. R., Kitzman, H., Powers, J., Cole, R., … Luckey, D. (1997). Long-term effects of home visitation on maternal life course and child abuse and neglect: Fifteen-year follow-up of a randomized trial. Journal of the American Medical Association, 278(8), 637–643.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olds, D. L., Henderson, C. R., Cole, R., Eckenrode, J., Kitzman, H., Luckey, D., … Powers, J. (1998). Long-term effects of nurse home visitation on children’s criminal and antisocial behavior: 15-year follow up of a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association, 280(14), 1238–1244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olds, D. L., Kitzman, H., Hanks, C., Cole, R., Anson, E., Sidora-Arcoleo, K., … Bondy, J. (2007). Effects of nurse home visiting on maternal and child functioning: Age-9 follow-up of a randomized trial. Pediatrics, 120(4), e832–e845.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, C., Kearns, M. C., McIntosh, W. L., Estefan, L. F., Nicolaidis, C., McCollister, K. E., … Florence, C. (2018). Lifetime economic burden of intimate partner violence among U.S. adults. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 55(4), 433–444.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raghavan, C., Mennerich, A., Sexton, E., & James, S. E. (2006). Community violence and its direct, indirect, and mediating effects on intimate partner violence. Violence Against Women, 12(12), 1132–1149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Randel, J. A., & Wells, K. K. (2003). Corporate approaches to reducing intimate partner violence through workplace initiatives. Clinics in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 3(4), 821–841.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, A. J., & Robertson, D. L. (2003). School-based early intervention and later child maltreatment in the Chicago Longitudinal Study. Child Development, 74(1), 3–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, A. J., Temple, J. A., Ou, S. R., Robertson, D. L., Mersky, J. P., Topitzes, J. W., & Niles, M. D. (2007). Effects of a school-based, early childhood intervention of adult health and well-being: A 19-year follow-up of low-income families. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 161(8), 730–739.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sampson, R., & Lauritsen, J. (1994). Violent victimization and offending: Individual-, situational-, and community-level risk factors. In A. J. Reiss & J. A. Roth (Eds.), Understanding and preventing violence. Volume 3, social influences (pp. 1–144). Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, S. G., Fowler, K. A., & Niolon, P. H. (2014). Intimate partner homicide and corollary victims in 16 states: National Violent Death Reporting System, 2003–2009. American Journal of Public Health, 104, 461–466.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, S. G., Chen, J., Basile, K. C., Gilbert, L. K., Merrick, M. T., Patel, N., … Jain, A. (2017). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010–2012 state report. Atlanta: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

    Google Scholar 

  • Stith, S. M., Smith, D. B., Penn, C. E., Ward, D. B., & Tritt, D. (2004). Intimate partner physical abuse perpetration and victimization risk factors: A meta-analytic review. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 10(1), 65–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stone, D. M., Holland, K. M., Bartholow, B., Crosby, A. E., Davis, S., & Wilkins, N. (2017). Preventing suicide: A technical package of policies, programs, and practices. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, C. M., Bybee, D. I., & Allen, N. E. (2002). Findings from a community-based program for battered women and their children. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 17(9), 915–936.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, B. G., Stein, N. D., Mumford, E. A., & Woods, D. (2013). Shifting Boundaries: An experimental evaluation of a dating violence prevention program in middle schools. Prevention Science, 14(1), 64–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vagi, K. J., Rothman, E., Latzman, N. E., Teten Tharp, A., Hall, D. M., & Breiding, M. (2013). Beyond correlates: A review of risk and protective factors for adolescent dating violence perpetration. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 42, 633–649.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vagi, K. J., Olsen, E., Basile, K. C., & Vivolo-Kantor, A. M. (2015). Teen dating violence (physical and sexual) among US high school students: Findings from the 2013 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey. JAMA Pediatrics, 169(5), 474–482.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van der Stouwe, T., Asscher, J. J., Stams, G. J. J. M., Dekovic, M., & van der Laan, P. H. (2014). The effectiveness of Multisystemic Therapy (MST): A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 34(6), 468–481.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vyas, S., & Watts, C. (2009). How does economic empowerment affect women’s risk of intimate partner violence in low- and middle-income countries? A systematic review of published evidence. Journal of International Development, 21(5), 577–602.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waldfogel, J. (1997). Working mothers then and now: A cross-cohort analysis of the effects of maternity leave on women’s pay. Paper presented at the Annual meeting of the population association of America, New Orleans.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walters, M. L., Chen, J., & Breiding, M. J. (2013). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 findings on victimization by sexual orientation. Atlanta: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warshaw, C., Brashler, P., & Gil, J. (2009). Mental health consequences of intimate partner violence. In C. Mitchell & D. Anglin (Eds.), Intimate partner violence: A health based perspective (pp. 147–170). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins, N., Tsao, B., Hertz, M. F., Davis, R., & Klevens, J. (2014). Connecting the dots: An overview of the links among multiple forms of violence. Atlanta: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

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.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Phyllis Holditch Niolon, Lianne Fuino Estefan, Megan Kearns & Linda Dahlberg

Authors
  1. Phyllis Holditch Niolon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lianne Fuino Estefan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Megan Kearns
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Linda Dahlberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Phyllis Holditch Niolon .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma, Alliant International University, San Diego, CA, USA

    Robert Geffner

  2. Gundersen Nat. Child Protection Tr. Ctr., Winona State University Gundersen Nat. Child Protection Tr. Ctr., Winona, MN, USA

    Victor Vieth

  3. Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA, USA

    Viola Vaughan-Eden

  4. Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA

    Alan Rosenbaum

  5. Dept of Family and Community Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    L. Kevin Hamberger

  6. School of Health and Human Sciences, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA

    Jacquelyn White

Section Editor information

  1. Consultant, Alexandria, VA, USA

    Glenna Tinney

  2. College of Arts and Sciences - Society, Culture, and Language, University of South Florida - St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA

    Shelly M. Wagers

  3. University of North Carolina- Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA

    Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling

  4. Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    L. Kevin Hamberger

  5. Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA

    Alan Rosenbaum

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 This is a U.S. Government work and not under copyright protection in the U.S.; foreign copyright protection may apply

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Niolon, P.H., Estefan, L.F., Kearns, M., Dahlberg, L. (2020). Best Available Evidence for Preventing Intimate Partner Violence Across the Life Span. In: Geffner, R., Vieth, V., Vaughan-Eden, V., Rosenbaum, A., Hamberger, L., White, J. (eds) Handbook of Interpersonal Violence Across the Lifespan. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62122-7_237-1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62122-7_237-1

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-62122-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-62122-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation