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.
