What Are the Mechanisms Underpinning Intergenerational Transmission of Violence Perpetration? A Realist Review

Abstract

Successive generations are more likely to carry out acts of violence in households where an individual has either perpetrated or been subjected to violence. While research to date has mostly concentrated on direct associations between violence experience or perpetration in generation 1 and violence perpetration in generation 2, there is limited evidence regarding the underlying mechanisms of the transmission of intergenerational violence perpetration. We conducted a realist review to adjudicate theories of the underlying mechanisms of intergenerational violence perpetration. Following Realist and Meta-Review Evidence Synthesis: Evolving Standards, we searched six databases across three phases considering all study designs. We identified 28 studies that were analyzed thematically. Included studies focused on perpetration of intimate partner violence, child abuse and neglect, youth violence, and violent crime. We identified five underlying mechanisms of intergenerational violence perpetration: (a) normalization of violence and harmful gender norms, (b) modeling and imitation, (c) emotion dysregulation, (d) high vulnerability, and (e) impaired relationships. These mechanisms operate and unfold differently across contexts where violence is experienced or witnessed. Our realist review highlights how violence perpetration may be transmitted across generations. We propose that interventions focused on norms and attitudes, mental health, social welfare, and parent–child relationships may be useful in preventing violence perpetration across generations.