Intimate Partner Violence Among Queer Adolescents

Abstract

Abstract: The present study examines intimate partner physical violence among queer adolescents. Utilizing a nationally representative sample of high school students, we investigate the influence and interactions of mental health, sexual behavior, and key demographic characteristics on the prevalence of intimate partner physical violence. Informed by an intersectional and queer-theory framework, we employ multivariate regression analysis to identify key risk factors for exposure to intimate partner physical violence among queer adolescents. The findings suggest that negative mental health symptoms, suicidality, social mistreatment based on race and ethnicity, and increased sexual activity are all associated with increased exposure to intimate partner physical violence for queer adolescents. Recommendations include further study of the effectiveness of social programs that target key risk factors like suicidality, bullying, economic vulnerability, and sexual health knowledge. Future studies on intimate partner, physical violence among queer adolescents, should explore comparisons across racial and socioeconomic demographics further.