Temporal patterns of offending by individuals who perpetrate intimate partner violence: A systematic scoping review

Intimate partner violence (IPV) occurs across diverse relationships and life stages, yet there is limited synthesis of its longitudinal course and associated risk and protective factors. Knowledge and understanding of patterns and the factors sustaining them is essential for creating effective, developmentally informed prevention and intervention responses to reduce the incidence and impact of IPV. This scoping review examined literature on patterns of IPV and general antisociality by individuals who perpetrate IPV across adolescence and adulthood, and summarised factors linked to varying levels of IPV or subgroup membership. Sixty-three studies were included, primarily spanning adolescence (12–18 years) or early adulthood (up to mid-30s). Findings indicate most individuals do not engage in long-term IPV, with physical and sexual violence peaking around mid-adolescence (age 16–17) and generally declining thereafter. However, methodological differences are noted between adolescent and adult samples which influence the interpretation of results. Psychological IPV may persist into early adulthood and function to maintain control in the absence of physical violence. A small group display frequent and persistent IPV, often alongside general antisocial behaviour. These individuals may have compounding risk factors across individual, social, and neighbourhood domains, with findings emphasising that IPV is not due to a single factor, but by a web of interacting influences. To prevent long-term harm, early, multi-systemic interventions are essential, targeting the multiple domains that shape violent behaviour. Findings support broader developmental and life-course criminology literature suggesting the majority refrain from violence or desist early, while a smaller group of individuals persist in offending over time.