LAMAT: Effects of childhood abuse experiences on Filipino adolescent romantic relationship

Abstract

Interpersonal violence, defined as any abusive behavior within an intimate relationship, has been found to be one of the effects of child abuse to romantic relationships by the World Health Organization (2012). Attempts to understand this relation locally have been theoretically and methodologically limited. This study sought to explore the effects of child abuse among Filipino young adults’ romantic relationships. Also, it aimed to determine the significant factors that influenced the intimate partner violence they are experiencing. The research dealt with the abuse experiences of one hundred (104) Filipino male and female aged 18 to 25 years old in Manila City. Using a random sample, results showed that an average of 73 percent (N=104) reported to have at least experienced any emotional, neglect, physical, and sexual maltreatment in their childhood. Moreover, when specific forms of intimate violence experiences in their romantic relationship were examined, about 50.3% of the participants have experienced offensive behaviors from their partners, 81.66% experienced emotional abuse and neglect, and 39.33% have undergone from any form of physical maltreatments. These results indicate that there is a high incidence of violence among Filipino youth that should be properly addressed.