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Abstract
Bullying and cyberbullying victimization are major public health problems that threaten the health of children, adolescents, and early adults across the U.S. Past research has suggested different types of interpersonal violence are related, but few studies have examined associations between intimate partner violence (IPV) experiences and bullying/cyberbullying victimization, specifically. Furthermore, little research has considered sex/gender identity as an effect modifier of these associations. Thus, the purpose of this dissertation was twofold. The primary objective was to examine associations between IPV experiences and bullying/cyberbullying victimization, and the secondary objective was to consider sex/gender identity as an effect modifier of these associations. To meet these objectives, three separate studies were conducted. Study one examined the association between witnessing parental IPV and in-person bullying victimization among children aged 6-9 using 2021 National Survey of Children’s Health data. Study two examined associations between the frequency of IPV experiences and cyberbullying victimization among adolescents aged 14-18 using 2017-2019 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey data. Lastly, study three examined associations between IPV experiences and cyberbullying victimization among early adults aged 18-25 using 2021 National College Health Assessment Survey data. Taken together, findings suggest IPV experiences are associated with an increased odds of bullying/cyberbullying victimization, but the role of sex/gender identity as an effect modifier varied across the three studies. In turn, it is the hope of this author that this dissertation research may inform IPV, bullying, and cyberbullying prevention and intervention efforts in schools and universities across the U.S.