Family violence and its ‘adversity package’: a community survey of family violence and adverse mental outcomes among young people

Background Limited research has examined the relationship between common forms of family violence and their impacts. We (1) examine the co-occurrence of exposure to domestic violence (EDV) and physical abuse (PA) in childhood and their relations to intimate partner violence (IPV) in adulthood among the young Thai people, and (2) describe their associations with common adverse mental outcomes. Methods A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in a community in Bangkok on a representative sample of 1,052 young residents, aged 16–25 years. Measurements were as follows: (1) exposures—the Conflict Tactics Scales were used to assess EDV and PA in childhood and IPV in adulthood, and (2) outcomes—common mental disorder and suicidal ideation were assessed with Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised, illicit drug use with Diagnostic Interview Schedule, and problem drinking with Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test. Results Those who reported EDV and PA were highly likely to report IPV (OR 9.3, 95% CI 4.4–19.4). In general, strong associations were found between exposure to each form of the violent experiences and all the adverse outcomes (adjusted odds ratios ranged from 1.7 to 5.7). Those who had been exposed to the three types of violence, compared to none, were most likely to report all the adverse outcomes (odds ratios ranged from 4.3 to 17.3). Conclusion Those who had experienced both kinds of the childhood violence were particularly likely to get revictimised later in their life. A dose–response relationship was observed between the extent of exposure to violence and the adverse outcomes. There is a need to identify and prevent these experiences and their impact on children and young people.