Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a complex problem with multiple layers of heterogeneity. We took a data-driven approach to characterize this heterogeneity. We integrated data from different studies, representing 640 individuals from various backgrounds. We used hierarchical clustering to systematically group cases in terms of their similarities according to violence variables. Results suggested that the cases can be clustered into 12 hierarchically organized subgroups, with verbal abuse and negotiation being the main discriminatory factors at higher levels. The presence of physical assault, injury, and sexual coercion was discriminative at lower levels of the hierarchy. Subgroups also exhibited significant differences in terms of relationship dynamics and individual factors. This study represents an attempt toward using integrative data analysis to understand the etiology of violence. These results can be useful in informing treatment efforts. The integrative data analysis framework we develop can also be applied to various other problems.
Highlights
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a complex problem with multiple layers of heterogeneity
A smaller p-value indicates more significant enrichment of the nonCTS subscale in items that are reported at different levels by the participants in the two subgroups. Since these subscales were not used in the identification of subgroups, the significant subscales we identified in this analysis served as an additional validation for the subgroups and provided further information for the annotation of the subgroups
We found that emotional abuse was the first distinctive feature among subgroups, followed by sexual coercion
Summary
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a complex problem with multiple layers of heterogeneity. This study represents an attempt toward using integrative data analysis to understand the etiology of violence. These results can be useful in informing treatment efforts. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a highly complex and multi-faceted problem. It includes the broad range of acts that can be physical, emotional, and sexual in nature[1,2,3]. Witnessing violence during childhood, substance abuse issues, gender role socialization, personality traits, stress, affect regulation, attachment security and psychopathology are all significant contributors to IPV8,10,11 All of these factors are critical in understanding the subtypes of violence for guiding treatment efforts. We used enrichment analyses to project these subgroups to personal, social, and relationship variables that are not considered in clustering
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