What Is the Cycle of Violence?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy Does Violence Sometimes Repeat Itself?Risk Factors of Domestic ViolenceHow to Prevent ViolenceResources

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Why Does Violence Sometimes Repeat Itself?

Risk Factors of Domestic Violence

How to Prevent Violence

Resources

While abusive behavior can be repetitive, it’s important to note that abuse does not always occur in a cyclical pattern. In fact, assuming that violence occurs in cycles can lead to victim-blaming. Abuse can be unpredictable and it is never OK.

Some people who have experienced any type of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can attest to the fact that the abuse happened in very predictable cycles. In some instances, violence can be repetitive and may have generational roots.

People who experience trauma as children are likely toexperience triggersthat they don’t understand when they become parents. These triggers may cause the parent to repeat old patterns that they are already familiar with.

One study suggestedthat one reason why children who have been abused are more likely to abuse children of their own when they become parents is because of the way that they’ve learned to perceivesocial situationsas children. This research says that kids who experience physical abuse are more likely to be biased when processing social situations, even jumping to harsh conclusions when they initially meet people.

People who experiencedphysical abuseare more likely to doubt the intentions of new people, which can make it difficult to form healthy relationships.

This article looks at the (sometimes) repetitive nature of violence, the factors that predispose people to violence, and ways to prevent abusive or violent behaviors. It also covers important resources for people who are hoping to recover and heal from past trauma.

One study found that exposure to family violence early in life drastically increases the chances ofintimate partner violence (IPV)in adulthood.

In the past, it’s been believed that domestic abuse follows a “cycle;” however, as we learn more about abuse and why it happens, we understand that abuse can be unpredictable.The cycle below is listed for informational purposes only and is not reflective of all cases of abuse.

When abuse is described as a cycle, it’s often separated into four stages:

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While violence can happen to anyone from any background, studies have shownthat there are a few factors that increase the likelihood of perpetual violence.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also notesthat there is a variety of societal, community, and relationship-based risk factors that can increase the likelihood of perpetuating violence. Some of them include:

Once a history of parental childhood abuse has been found, studies have shownthat certain social services, like mental healthcare and child care, can potentially curb the likelihood of repeating abusive behavior.

According to the CDC, the risk of violence decreases when people have high-quality friendships and social support systems, as well as supportive community agencies and neighborhood interactions.

In terms of helping victims of child abuse on a larger scale, the CDC listsa few things that would help to prevent abusive behavior:

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If you or someone you know has experienced violence in either a relationship or as a child, it’s important to seek help. For example,Safe Horizonprovides short-term shelter as well as access tocounseling services. They also offer multiplecommunity servicesthat can be helpful based on your specific case.

Support groupscan be helpful because they can help you find community and feel less alone. They can also provide comfort for those that are also struggling after ending relationships.

If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, contact theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat1-800-799-7233for confidential assistance from trained advocates.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, contact theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat1-800-799-7233for confidential assistance from trained advocates.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

A Word From Verywell

Just because you experienced violence as a child or in a past relationship doesn’t mean that you will repeat those patterns. If you are dealing with PTSD or other mental health issues,a therapist will be able to help youaddress your symptoms and triggers. They can also provide you with healthy coping mechanisms.

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8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Berlin LJ, Appleyard K, Dodge KA.Intergenerational continuity in child maltreatment: mediating mechanisms and implications for prevention.Child Dev. 2011;82(1):162-176. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01547.xChiang L, Howard A, Gleckel J, Ogoti C, Karlsson J, Hynes M, Mwangi M.Cycle of violence among young Kenyan women: The link between childhood violence and adult physical intimate partner violence in a population-based survey.Child Abuse and Neglect. 2018;84:45-52.Maxfield MG, Widom CS.The Cycle of Violence: Revisited 6 Years Later.Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med.1996;150(4):390–395.The National Domestic Violence Hotline.Is Abuse Really a “Cycle”?.Rakovec-Felser Z.Domestic Violence and Abuse in Intimate Relationship from Public Health Perspective.Health Psychol Res. 2014;2(3):1821. Published 2014 Oct 22. doi:10.4081/hpr.2014.1821Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk and Protective Factors for Perpetration. Updated November 2, 2021.Dixon L, Browne K, Hamilton-Giachritsis C.Risk factors of parents abused as children: a mediational analysis of the intergenerational continuity of child maltreatment (Part I).J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2005;46(1):47-57. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00339.xThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Intimate Partner Violence: Prevention Strategies.

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Berlin LJ, Appleyard K, Dodge KA.Intergenerational continuity in child maltreatment: mediating mechanisms and implications for prevention.Child Dev. 2011;82(1):162-176. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01547.xChiang L, Howard A, Gleckel J, Ogoti C, Karlsson J, Hynes M, Mwangi M.Cycle of violence among young Kenyan women: The link between childhood violence and adult physical intimate partner violence in a population-based survey.Child Abuse and Neglect. 2018;84:45-52.Maxfield MG, Widom CS.The Cycle of Violence: Revisited 6 Years Later.Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med.1996;150(4):390–395.The National Domestic Violence Hotline.Is Abuse Really a “Cycle”?.Rakovec-Felser Z.Domestic Violence and Abuse in Intimate Relationship from Public Health Perspective.Health Psychol Res. 2014;2(3):1821. Published 2014 Oct 22. doi:10.4081/hpr.2014.1821Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk and Protective Factors for Perpetration. Updated November 2, 2021.Dixon L, Browne K, Hamilton-Giachritsis C.Risk factors of parents abused as children: a mediational analysis of the intergenerational continuity of child maltreatment (Part I).J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2005;46(1):47-57. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00339.xThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Intimate Partner Violence: Prevention Strategies.

Berlin LJ, Appleyard K, Dodge KA.Intergenerational continuity in child maltreatment: mediating mechanisms and implications for prevention.Child Dev. 2011;82(1):162-176. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01547.xChiang L, Howard A, Gleckel J, Ogoti C, Karlsson J, Hynes M, Mwangi M.Cycle of violence among young Kenyan women: The link between childhood violence and adult physical intimate partner violence in a population-based survey.Child Abuse and Neglect. 2018;84:45-52.Maxfield MG, Widom CS.The Cycle of Violence: Revisited 6 Years Later.Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med.1996;150(4):390–395.The National Domestic Violence Hotline.Is Abuse Really a “Cycle”?.Rakovec-Felser Z.Domestic Violence and Abuse in Intimate Relationship from Public Health Perspective.Health Psychol Res. 2014;2(3):1821. Published 2014 Oct 22. doi:10.4081/hpr.2014.1821Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk and Protective Factors for Perpetration. Updated November 2, 2021.Dixon L, Browne K, Hamilton-Giachritsis C.Risk factors of parents abused as children: a mediational analysis of the intergenerational continuity of child maltreatment (Part I).J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2005;46(1):47-57. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00339.xThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Intimate Partner Violence: Prevention Strategies.

Chiang L, Howard A, Gleckel J, Ogoti C, Karlsson J, Hynes M, Mwangi M.Cycle of violence among young Kenyan women: The link between childhood violence and adult physical intimate partner violence in a population-based survey.Child Abuse and Neglect. 2018;84:45-52.

Maxfield MG, Widom CS.The Cycle of Violence: Revisited 6 Years Later.Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med.1996;150(4):390–395.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline.Is Abuse Really a “Cycle”?.

Rakovec-Felser Z.Domestic Violence and Abuse in Intimate Relationship from Public Health Perspective.Health Psychol Res. 2014;2(3):1821. Published 2014 Oct 22. doi:10.4081/hpr.2014.1821

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Risk and Protective Factors for Perpetration. Updated November 2, 2021.

Dixon L, Browne K, Hamilton-Giachritsis C.Risk factors of parents abused as children: a mediational analysis of the intergenerational continuity of child maltreatment (Part I).J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2005;46(1):47-57. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00339.x

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Intimate Partner Violence: Prevention Strategies.

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