Thanks for the interesting comments Stephanie. Researchers have certainly floated ideas along the lines you’re describing. For example, this paper highlights how chronic stress in childhood may affect self-control and coping ability.

This more recent paper argues a similar point and suggests that the connection between family violence and self-control may be reciprocal: poor self-control can contribute to more family violence, and family violence can contribute to poorer self-control. If true, that would create a very vicious cycle…

Glad you enjoyed the article!