Examination of Sex Differences and Type of Violence Exposure in a Mediation Model of Family Violence

ABSTRACT Violence in the home predisposes children to behavioral and emotional difficulties. Since depression is implicated as a consequence of exposure to home violence and as a cause of aggression, this study examined depression as a mediator between experiencing family violence and aggression for males and females. College students (n = 360) reported on experiencing family violence, including exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) and parent-to-child aggression prior to age 18. Results indicated the relationship between experiencing family violence and aggression was partially mediated by depressive symptoms for females only. Additionally, experiencing both types of violence showed higher levels of depressive symptoms and aggression than those who had only witnessed IPV and who had neither witnessed nor experienced aggression.