Resisting the cycle of violence: Impact of childhood abuse and neglect on individual and relationship functioning in early career enlisted air force male service members

Snyder, D. K., Cigrang, J. A., Balderrama-Durbin, C., Spierling, T. N., Alsaif, H. K., Kidd, K. R., Slep, A. M. S., Heyman, R. E., Lorber, M. F., Eckardt, A. C., Mitnick, D. M., & Waggoner, J. W. (2025). Resisting the cycle of violence: Impact of childhood abuse and neglect on individual and relationship functioning in early career enlisted air force male service members. Psychology of Men & Masculinities, 26(2), 218–227. https://doi.org/10.1037/men0000503

This study examined the prevalence of 3 categories of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), namely, abuse, neglect, and exposure to interparental physical abuse, and their association with one’s individual and relationship functioning in adulthood. 559 early career male Airmen in committed relationships reported their ACEs, individual functioning (i.e., depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, posttraumatic stress symptoms, angry feelings, somatic symptoms, and alcohol abuse) and relationship functioning (i.e., relationship distress, dysfunctional communication, and physical intimate partner violence). Overall, 39% of Airmen had experienced at least one ACE, which was associated with a higher risk of individual and relationship dysfunction in adulthood.

DOI