A Meditational Model Linking Witnessing Intimate Partner Violence and Bullying Behaviors and Victimization Among Youth

A growing body of research documents that various forms of violence exposures are interrelated. This paper presents a conceptual model, which accounts for the relationship between youth witnessing intimate partner violence (IPV) at home and their subsequent engagement in bullying behaviors and victimization by peers. A comprehensive search of major databases was conducted within a 12-year period (1999-2011). Based on this review, we provide empirical evidence, which documents that youth who witness IPV are at increased risk for bullying behaviors and peer victimization. Next, we posit a mediational model, which suggests that the relationship between witnessing IPV and bullying behavior and peer victimization is mediated by psychological problem behaviors, lower school success, and problematic peer interactions. We also explore potential moderating factors that may exacerbate or buffer the effects of witnessing IPV, such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, parenting practices, and peer relationships. This overall conceptual model should be empirically tested and has important implications for guiding future research on the relationship between IPV and bullying behaviors and victimization among youth.