A nurse is presenting to a church group a program about domestic violence

Question

During the presentation, a member of the audience asks the nurse to explain what "intergenerational transmission of violence" means because he has seen that phrase used in the media. Which of the following responses by the nurse would be most appropriate?

A) "People who are violent are that way because of the various neurochemical imbalances in their brains."
B) "People who grow up in violent home situations tend to be involved in domestic violence situations as an adult."
C) "Recent research has identified a gene that is responsible for transmission of a risk for violent behavior that is passed on from generation to generation."
D) "Domestic violence seems to skip every other generation when it is traced in families."

Answer 1

Ans: B
Violent families create an atmosphere of tension, fear, intimidation, and tremendous confusion about intimate relationships. Children in violent homes often learn violent behavior as an approved and legitimate way to solve problems, especially within intimate relationships. The social learning or intergenerational transmission of violence theory posits that children who witness violence in their homes often perpetuate violent behavior in their own families as adults. Moreover, children who grow up in violent homes learn to accept violence and expect it in their own adult relationships. Neurochemical imbalances, genetics, or skipping generations are unrelated to this theory.