Age, Period, and Cohort Effects on Intimate Partner Violence

This study sought to determine if the recent secular decrease in reported intimate partner violence (IPV) in women was due to cohort or period effects. Women ages 18 to 64 were interviewed about IPV during their adult lifetimes. The lifetime prevalence of any IPV was 42%. Regardless of birth cohort, IPV was most common among women in their mid-20s to early 30s. After adjusting for cohort and period effects, women 26 to 30 had the highest risk of any IPV; risk decreased with age. Younger birth cohorts were at decreased risk for IPV. The estimated risk is lowest for those born between 1966 and 1975, with 31% lower risk of IPV than those born in 1946–1955. There was a substantial drop in IPV for all age-groups beginning in the 1990s.