Aspects Of Intimate Partner Violence Research Articles

Discrimination and Intimate Partner Violence Victimization and Perpetration Among a Convenience Sample of LGBT Individuals in Latin America.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at high rates, even bidirectionally, yet no studies to date have investigated IPV among LGBT individuals in Latin America. Thus, this study explored discrimination and IPV victimization and perpetration among LGBT individuals in Latin America. Participants (N = 99) were recruited for this online, cross-sectional survey via convenience sampling and completed measures of LGBT discrimination and lifetime IPV victimization and perpetration. Results indicated that 60.61% of the sample reported at least one form of IPV victimization at some point in their life, and 56.57% reported at least one form of perpetration. Psychological aggression was the most common type of IPV victimization and perpetration. Physical assault victimization was positively correlated with work/school heterosexism. Perpetration and victimization of physical assault, psychological aggression, and sexual coercion were correlated with the "other" heterosexism subscale. Cluster analysis revealed a three-cluster solution: participants in Cluster 1 were high in IPV victimization and perpetration; Cluster 2 participants were low in IPV victimization and perpetration; and Cluster 3 participants were moderate on psychological aggression perpetration and victimization, but low on the other three forms of IPV. Cluster 1 participants had a higher score for the "other" heterosexism subscale than Cluster 2. This study highlights the need to address certain aspects of IPV, such as bidirectionality, in clinical encounters such as safety planning. Future research should examine the role of Latinx identity in LGBT individuals' experiences of discrimination and IPV.

A Qualitative Study of Intimate Partner Violence From the Perpetrator's Perspective.

Cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) has shown promising results in reducing aggression in intimate partner violence (IPV) relationships. A cornerstone of effective CBT is the assessment and measure of cognitions, behaviors, interactions, and conditions surrounding the violence. Unfortunately, there is limited perpetrator-based research that focuses on these aspects of IPV. The purpose of this study was to question perpetrators about the behaviors, interactions, cognitions, and conditions that precipitate and maintain abuse. Such information, along with similar data collected in a companion study of victims, is intended to assist in better understanding perpetrator violence, which can serve as the foundation of effective cognitive-behavioral (CB) IPV assessment, measurement, and treatment. Twelve heterosexual perpetrators receiving treatment for IPV completed structured audiotaped interviews focusing on CB phenomena, that is, the cognitions, behaviors, feelings, interactions, and conditions perpetrators have before, during, and after an IPV incident. Transcripts were coded and analyzed to develop a broad categorized list of discrete IPV phenomena over time. Among the findings relating to violent incidents was indication that despite the progression of abuse that compels perpetrators uncontrollably toward a violent episode, both partners simultaneously engage in numerous preventive attempts. The findings are ultimately intended to contribute to an instrument or treatment assessment method that can more accurately measure IPV phenomena emphasizing core CB concepts.

Childhood Trauma, Trait Anxiety, and Anxious Attachment as Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence in College Students.

The current study investigates the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV), childhood trauma, trait anxiety, depression, and anxious attachment in college students. Ninety-three male and 161 female undergraduate students at Fairfield University, ranging in age from 17 to 23, with a mean age of 18.8 years, participated. Participants completed five self-report inventories: The Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory (CADRI), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Adult Attachment Scale (AAS). IPV perpetration in college dating relationships was related to childhood emotional and physical abuse, emotional and physical neglect, and trait anxiety. IPV victimization in college dating relationships was related to childhood emotional and physical abuse, childhood emotional and physical neglect, and an anxious attachment style. IPV perpetration and victimization were also significantly correlated with one another. Subscale analyses suggest that childhood emotional abuse was related to being both the perpetrator and victim of verbal or emotional abuse in dating relationships. Childhood physical abuse, physical neglect, and emotional abuse were related to both perpetration and victimization of physical IPV. Threatening behavior perpetration in dating relationships was related to childhood emotional abuse, emotional neglect, physical abuse, and physical neglect; however, being the victim of threatening behavior was only related to childhood emotional abuse, physical neglect, and emotional neglect, not childhood physical abuse. These results support the relationship between childhood trauma and dating violence in college students. They also support a role for anxiety in IPV, although trait anxiety was related to perpetration and an anxious attachment style was correlated with IPV victimization. In addition, they suggest that different experiences of childhood trauma may relate to different aspects of IPV in college dating relationships.

Coercive Control, Physical Violence, and Masculinity

Abstract This article seeks to explore the relationship among three individual-level trait measures of masculinity and two aspects of intimate partner violence (IPV), physical violence and coercive control, in a sample of 137 heterosexual men court mandated to a batterers' treatment program. Results indicate that aspects of masculinity, specifically restrictiveness and hostile sexism, may contribute to the use of coercively controlling tactics in intimate relationships. Furthermore, implications from these findings suggest that failure to achieve desired control may lead to the use of physical violence. With inconsistent past findings and the limited study of clinical populations, further examination of these concepts provides increased understanding of the mechanisms behind IPV perpetration. Results provide a greater understanding of the complexity of this violence to better assist individuals experiencing IPV.

Intimate partner violence in rural U.S. areas: what every nurse should know.

Intimate partner violence is a major health care issue, affecting nearly 6% of U.S. women annually. Multiple mental and physical health problems are associated with intimate partner violence, and billions of health care dollars are spent in trying to address the consequences. Although prevalence rates of intimate partner violence are roughly the same in rural and nonrural areas, rural survivors face distinct barriers in obtaining help and services. Because rural women routinely access health care services in nonrural as well as rural settings, it's essential that all providers understand the issues specific to rural survivors. Routine screening for intimate partner violence would create opportunities for women to disclose abuse and for providers to help victims obtain assistance and support that may keep them safer. This in turn would likely decrease serious health sequelae and lower health care costs. This article describes the unique aspects of intimate partner violence in rural populations. It also describes a simple screening tool that can be used in all settings, discusses ways to approach the topic and facilitate disclosure, and addresses interventions; relevant resources are also provided.

Culture of Honor and Attitudes Toward Intimate Partner Violence in Latinos

Adherence to culture of honor is examined in relationship to attitudes toward intimate partner violence (IPV) in Latinos. Prior research suggests that high honor culture adherence may be associated with more tolerance for IPV. In the present study, Latino participants ( N = 72) completed questionnaires on culture of honor and attitudes toward various aspects of IPV, including attitudes toward the violence itself, toward the perpetrator, toward the victim, and toward victim help-seeking. High and low reputation threat conditions were depicted in vignettes of IPV to manipulate for honor adherence. Findings suggest that participants who adhere more greatly to culture of honor are more accepting of IPV, more approving of the perpetrator, and less approving of seeking help.

Factors Influencing Resource Use by African American and African Caribbean Women Disclosing Intimate Partner Violence

Many victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) do not access services. Education and severity of physical violence have previously been shown to predict resource utilization, but whether these hold true specifically among women of African descent is unknown. This article furthers our understanding of the relationship between IPV and resource use, considering sociodemographics and aspects of IPV by presenting results from a study conducted with African American and African Caribbean women in Baltimore, Maryland, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Of the 545 women included in this analysis, 95 (18%) reported emotional abuse only, 274 (50%) reported experiencing physical abuse only, and 176 (32%) had experienced both physical and sexual abuse by an intimate partner. Resource utilization was relatively low among these women, with only 57% seeking any help. Among those who did, 13% sought medical, 18% DV, 37% community, and 41% criminal justice resources. Generalized linear model results indicated that older age and severe risk for lethality from IPV and PTSD were predictive of certain types of resource use, while education, insurance status, and depression had no influence. Perceived availability of police and shelter resources varied by site. Results suggest that systems that facilitate resource redress for all abused women are essential, particularly attending to younger clients who are less likely to seek help, while building awareness that women accessing resources may be at severe risk for lethality from the violence and may also be experiencing mental health complications. In addition, greater efforts should be made on the community level to raise awareness among women of available resources.

‘I’m not sexist, but . . .’: How ideological dilemmas reinforce sexism in talk about intimate partner violence

In order to extend knowledge about the communicative aspects of intimate partner violence (IPV), we ask how those who talk about IPV frame the relationship between gender and power. How does their framing account for the role of gender in IPV perpetration? A critical discourse analysis of conversations from focus groups and interviews reveals that when participants talk about IPV, they rely on ideological dilemmas in available understandings of the relationship between gender and power. As participants use disclaimers, competing interpretive repertoires, and extreme case arguments to navigate these dilemmas, their talk closes space for a critique of gender and power that considers systemic factors and benevolent sexism. Instead, participants focus more on individual pathology and the most overt forms of sexism. The tensions that produce this closure may also reveal contradictions that provide opportunities for reshaping public conversations about IPV and its relationship to gender and power.

Challenges of recognition of the psychiatric aspects of intimate partner violence

Background:Even though intimate partner violence represents a major public health problem in Nigeria, much of its associated burden of psychiatric morbidity presenting in the clinical setting goes unrecognized and untreated.Objectives:The purpose of this paper is to clarify the psychiatric perspectives on intimate partner violence and highlight the barriers that militate against the detection of these problems in clinical contexts.Method:This paper utilized the framework of relevant case series and a focused review of the relevant literature to describe and annotate the psychiatric problems of the victims and perpetrators of intimate partner violence in southeast Nigeria.Results:The major barriers to detection of the psychiatric disorders occurring in the context of intimate partner violence include patients’ feelings of shame, reticence about the abuse experiences in the clinical encounter, and cloaking of their emotional distress in somatic complaints. Also, the poor interviewing skills of many doctors and their difficulty in processing psychosocial matters contributes to the non-detection of psychiatric problems occurring in the context of partner violence.Conclusion:Concerted efforts directed towards the improved detection, treatment and/or referral of patients presenting with these difficulties will enhance their wellbeing and quality of life.

Does Separation or Divorce Make any Difference? An Interactional Perspective on Intimate Partner Violence with Focus on Marital Status

This article reports a study of the impact of marital status on interactional aspects of intimate partner violence (IPV) among help-seeking women. Are there differences among marital status groups concerning (a) other sociodemographic variables, (b) IPV categories, (c) interactional IPV variables, and (d) perception and interpretation of IPV? A representative sample of 157 women recruited from family counseling, the police, and shelters were interviewed. There was no significant sociodemographic difference among the marital status groups. There were no significant differences pertaining to IPV categories, neither for IPV severity, injury, duration, frequency, mortal danger, and regularity, nor for physical, psychological, or sexual IPV. However, multivariate logistic regression showed that post-separation women were significantly more likely to have (a) had longer duration since the last psychological and sexual IPV episode, (2) reported the physical IPV to be more predictable, and (3) used more active coping strategies against physical IPV. However, our research was not able to determine if perception and interpretation predict actual leaving behavior, or vice versa, or how the victim’s subjective perception and interpretation of the IPV changes over time.

Victim of and Witness to Violence: An Interactional Perspective on Mothers’ Perceptions of Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence

This article reports a study of how mothers perceive the effects of intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy and children's exposure to IPV: (a) Do interactional aspects of IPV have a negative impact on the fetus during pregnancy or on the newborn baby? and (b) Is there a relationship between interactional aspects of IPV and (a) children's risk of being exposed to IPV and (b) the age of the child when at risk for exposure to IPV? A representative sample of 137 IPV help-seeking mothers in Norway was interviewed. Severity of physical IPV and injury from sexual IPV increased the risk of consequences to the fetus. Frequency of physical and psychological IPV increased the likelihood of children's exposure. Duration of the partnership increased the risk of children's exposure to physical and sexual IPV. Finally, there was a negative linear association between children's age when exposed for the first time and frequency of physical and psychological IPV.

Controversies Involving Gender and Intimate Partner Violence: Response to Commentators

In this response, I raise additional concerns related to controversies about gender and intimate partner violence (IPV). First, I argue that focusing on the dynamics of bi-directionally violent couples will enhance our ability to prevent a large quantity of IPV. Second, while directing resources toward those most impacted by IPV (i.e., women, children) is essential; pre-determining that women are always the appropriate victims is sexist and detrimental to prevention efforts. Third, although I offered a typology of bi-directionally violent couples, most of the factors associated with IPV (i.e., attachment, perceived control, fear, anger) and, most aspects of IPV, are dimensional constructs occurring in a society in which women’s roles are fluid. Making sense of this complexity poses a continued challenge.

An Interactional Perspective on the Relationship of Immigration to Intimate Partner Violence in a Representative Sample of Help-Seeking Women

This article reports a study of the possible impact of immigration on interactional aspects of intimate partner violence (IPV) among help-seeking women. Are there differences concerning (a) IPV categories, (b) IPV severity, frequency, duration, regularity, and predictability, (c) guilt and shame, (d) partners' ethnicity, and (e) children being exposed to interparental IPV, adjusted for sociodemographic variables? A representative sample of IPV help-seeking women (N = 157) recruited from family counseling, police, and shelters in Norway were interviewed. Multivariate analyses showed that immigrant women had lower income, were less likely to use alcohol and had increased likelihood of having an immigrant partner. No differences were found concerning IPV severity, frequency, guilt, shame, or victimization pertaining to different IPV categories. Immigrant women were better at predicting physical IPV but had an increased risk of physical injury related to sexual IPV. Children's risk of being exposed to interparental IPV increased if parents were immigrants. Psychosocial consequences of being an immigrant such as having a lower sociodemographic rank rather than IPV aspects constituted the main difference between ethnic Norwegian and immigrant help-seeking women.

A Multi-Leveled and Integrated Approach to Assessment and Intervention of Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence is a serious issue deeply embedded in multiple contexts both internal and external making treatment and interventions difficult to implement. Although numerous models offer vital insight into aspects of intimate partner violence, in isolation they may be less effective in addressing the unique elements and complexity of the abusive situation. Therefore, in order to provide an integrated and effective method of treatment, a multi-leveled theoretical approach delineating the change process is needed. Boss’s contextual model of family stress provides a broad paradigm affording clarity and organization for assessment, intervention, and treatment. Each of the elements of the contextual model of family stress are presented and applied to a case study outlining one battered woman’s experience. Clinical implications addressing stressors, resources, perceptions, and contextual elements are discussed as well as treatment recommendations.

Interactional Aspects of Intimate Partner Violence Result in Different Help-Seeking Behaviors in a Representative Sample of Women

This article reports a study of the possible impact of sociodemographic and interactional aspects of intimate partner violence (IPV) on help-seeking behavior. Do different sociodemographic groups of IPV survivors use different professional supports and treatments? Do different professional support and treatment agencies come predominantly in contact with women who have been subjected to different characteristics of IPV? Do different interactional IPV variables predict whether IPV victims contact the police, a family doctor, or a psychologist or psychiatrist? A representative sample of 157 women recruited from family counseling, the police, and shelters in Norway was interviewed. Three of seven sociodemographic variables showed statistically significant differences among the recruitment groups. No significant differences in characteristics of IPV were found among the recruitment groups. However, there were significant differences between the main categories (physical, psychological, and sexual) of IPV and interactional IPV factors concerning help-seeking. Our findings indicate that the help-seeking of IPV survivors is differentiated and interaction-specific and that they respond adequately to the different interactional consequences of IPV.

Does It Make Any Difference if She Is a Mother?

The authors report on the impact of motherhood and pregnancy on interactional aspects of intimate partner violence (IPV) among help-seeking women. Is having children a protective or a risk factor for IPV severity, injury, duration, frequency, and mortal danger, controlling for sociodemographics? Regarding interactional aspects of IPV, do survivors who experience IPV during pregnancy differ from those who do not? Is IPV during pregnancy characterized by different severity, injury, frequency, and mortal danger? A representative sample of women was interviewed. Motherhood increased the risk for longer duration of physical, psychological, and sexual IPV, even controlling for duration of partnership. Combinations of main categories of IPV during pregnancy were different from when not pregnant. Duration of physical and psychological IPV was the only variable increasing the likelihood of experiencing IPV during pregnancy. All physical IPV variables were significantly lower during pregnancy. For psychological IPV, all variables but frequency were lower. Only mortal danger was significantly lower in the sexual IPV main category.

Including Sex, Neglecting Gender

Reviews the books, Family interventions in domestic violence: A handbook of gender-inclusive theory and treatment by John Hamel Jr. and Tonia L. Nicholls (2007) and "Intimate" violence against women: When spouses, partners, or lovers attack, by Paula K. Lundberg-Love and Shelly L. Marmion (see record 2006-13414-000). The chapters within Family interventions in domestic violence present current and comprehensive reviews of recently published research on many aspects of intimate partner violence, including stalking, court-mandated batterer treatment, risk assessment, and the measurement of controlling behaviors. Most chapters contain informative discussions of the central research findings and unresolved questions in the literature, supported by citations to research published within the last decade. 'Intimate" Violence against women avoids discussion of the scholarly debates that are central to the work edited by Hamel and Nicholls. Chapters in this volume review the basic prevalence, characteristics, correlates, and consequences of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse against adult women, research on the long-term consequences of child sexual abuse, and legal and therapeutic interventions for abuse and rape survivors. For researchers attempting to understand the ways in which gender shapes the experience of intimate partner violence, both of these books fall short. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)

Identifying Signs and Symptoms of Intimate Partner Violence inan Oncology Setting

Domestic violence (DV), or intimate partner violence (IPV), is a prevailing problem in public health. Often, healthcare providers may be the first people that victims of DV will approach to reveal their problem or seek assistance. IPV is a pattern of control using assault and intimidating behaviors that has devastating effects on individuals, their families, and communities. Oncology nurses need to become familiar with common indicators of DV so that signs and symptoms of abuse can be identified when assessing patients in an oncology setting. Standards of oncology nursing practice support that the psychosocial impact of cancer on patients and their families or significant others needs to be considered at all stages of diagnosis and treatment. The psychosocial impact of other personal situations or concerns, such as IPV, can add to the complexity of cancer management. Routine screening for signs and symptoms of psychosocial distress helps identify patients who require additional interventions. Oncology nursing practice is based on a holistic approach to patient care, which supports that identification of physical and psychosocial needs are equally important. Oncology nursing provides many unique opportunities to help patients cope with cancer. Routine nursing assessment for signs and symptoms of abuse will provide an opportunity to assist patients with cancer to manage not only the life-threatening aspects of their diagnosis but also the life-threatening aspects of IPV.