Abstract

This study examined how childhood maltreatment experiences affect reactive and proactive aggression of intimate partner violence behavior through rejection sensitivity and callous-unemotional traits. We measured childhood maltreatment experience, rejection sensitivity, callous-unemotional traits, pure reactive and proactive aggression, and intimate partner violence behaviors among a community sample of adults. Among the 328 participants, 134 people with intimate partner violence behaviors were selected. Mediation effects were analyzed using a regression analysis and a bootstrapping technique. Childhood maltreatment experiences were not related to pure reactive aggression; however, using a multiple regression analysis, it can be inferred that rejection sensitivity, but not callous-unemotional traits, was related to pure reactive aggression. Childhood maltreatment experiences were related to pure proactive aggression, and callous-unemotional traits showed complete mediation. Theoretical and clinical implications of childhood maltreatment, aggression types of intimate partner violence and limitations of this study are discussed.