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Coexistence of Intimate Partner Violence and Child Maltreatment among Adolescents in Kosovo

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Abstract

High levels of domestic and intimate partner violence are continuously reported in Kosovo, and child maltreatment by parents is common. This study explores the coexistence of intimate partner violence and child maltreatment and its association with sociodemographic factors. A sample of 208 Kosovar adolescents was assessed using the Conflict Tactic Scale and the Parent-Child Conflict Tactic Scale. The results showed interplay between experiencing intimate partner violence and witnessing violence between parents. The hierarchical logistic regression results showed that adolescents exposed to psychological intimate partner violence had a higher chance of experiencing psychological aggression and corporal punishment by their parents, when controlling for sociodemographic factors (gender, average grades, parents’ education, number of sisters/brothers, and financial income). The findings foresee the necessity of comprehensive approaches to family violence phenomena that affect family members, including parents and children. They indicate the importance of considering poly-victimization in the assessment and prioritization of such cases.

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Notes

  1. Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, Japan, Peru, Namibia, Samoa, Serbia and Montenegro, Thailand, and the United Republic of Tanzania.

  2. 51.6% women and 48.4% men

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  1. Department of Psychology, University of Prishtina, Mother Teresa Street, n.n. 10 000, Prishtinë, Kosovo

    Kaltrina Kelmendi, Zamira Hyseni Duraku & Liridona Jemini-Gashi

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  1. Kaltrina Kelmendi
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  2. Zamira Hyseni Duraku
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Correspondence to Zamira Hyseni Duraku.

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Kelmendi, K., Duraku, Z.H. & Jemini-Gashi, L. Coexistence of Intimate Partner Violence and Child Maltreatment among Adolescents in Kosovo. J Fam Viol 34, 411–421 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-018-00034-y

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