Intimate Partner Relationships Research Articles

‘A life barely half lived’: domestic abuse and sexual violence practitioners’ experiences and perceptions of providing care to survivors of non-physical abuse within intimate partner relationships

Non-physically abusive acts (underpinned by coercive control) are more prevalent than physical or sexual violence within intimate partner relationships. Yet, little is known about survivors’ help-seeking journeys or the efficacy of existing services in addressing this need. We present findings from a survey of UK-based domestic violence and abuse (DVA) and sexual violence (SV) practitioners (n = 279) exploring experiences of providing care to women with histories of non-physical abuse. Our findings suggest that survivors often seek help for non-physical abuse from specialist DVA and SV services, but wider professional agencies often overlook the severity of this experience of abuse in the absence of physical or sexual violence. The impacts of non-physical abuse on survivors’ health and wellbeing are severe and there are multiple barriers to support, particularly within the criminal justice system. Our findings highlight the urgent need to increase public and professional awareness of non-physical abuse and its consequences for training of wider agencies (for example, police, child protection, legal services) and for sustainable funding that increases long-term support options for survivors and their children.

Attitudes towards Violence in Adolescents and Youth Intimate Partner Relationships: Validation of the Spanish Version of the EAV

The main purpose of the present study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Attitudes Scale Towards Violence (Escala de Actitudes hacia la Violencia, EAV) in adolescents. The EAV is a questionnaire devoted to assess attitudes towards violence. Additionally, the relationship between EAV and violence manifestations and depressive symptoms was analyzed. The final sample comprised a total of 1248 students in a cross-sectional survey. The EAV, the Modified Conflict Tactics Scale (M-CTS), and the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale (RADS) were used. The analysis of the internal structure of the EAV yielded a two-factor structure as the most adequate. The EAV scores showed measurement invariance across gender and age. The McDonald’s Omega was 0.862 and 0.872 for the two hypothesized factors. Furthermore, self-reported attitudes towards violence were associated with violence manifestations both as a victim and as a perpetrator and depressive symptoms. These results support that the EAV is a brief and easy tool to assess self-reported violence attitudes in intimate partner relationships in adolescents from the general population. The assessment of these attitudes, and its associations with violence and depressive manifestations, may help us to enhance the possibility of an early identification of adolescents potentially at risk for suffering violence as a victim or as a perpetrator.

Zoom Interviews: Benefits and Concessions

COVID-19 restrictions have transitioned in-person qualitative research interviews to virtual platforms. The purpose of the current article is to detail some benefits and concessions derived from our experiences of using Zoom to interview men about their intimate partner relationship breakdowns and service providers who work with men to build better relationships. Three benefits; 1) Rich therapeutic value, 2) There’s no place like home, and 3) Reduced costs to extend recruitment reach and inclusivity, highlighted Zoom’s salutary value, the data richness afforded by being interviewed from home, and the potential for cost-effectively progressing qualitative study designs. In particular, reduced labour and travel costs made viable wider reaching participant recruitment and multi-site data collection. The concessions; 1) Being there differently, 2) Choppy purviews and 3) Preparing and pacing, and adjusting to the self-stream revealed the need for interviewers to nimbly adjust to circumstances outside their direct control. Included were inherent challenges for adapting to diverse interviewee locations, technology limits and discordant audio-visual feeds. Amongst these concessions there was resignation that many in-person interview nuances were lost amid the virtual platform demanding unique interviewer skills to compensate some of those changes. Zoom interviews will undoubtedly continue post COVID-19 and attention should be paid to emergent ethical and operational issues.

Barriers to losing weight for women attending group visits in primary care: A qualitative exploration using in-depth interviews

Background Despite the accumulated evidence suggesting the positive aspects of using group visits in obesity, the number of qualitative studies that examine why and how the effects occur at an individual level is limited. Objectives This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences and perspectives of women who participated in group visits and had different weight loss outcomes in the programme. Method Purposive maximum variation sampling was performed. Data collection and analysis were performed iteratively, and the data saturation method was used as a guideline for sample size. All participants who completed the group visits were approached, and finally, 20 individuals were included in the study. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically using a phenomenological approach. Results The mean age of the individuals was 38.5 ± 9.8 years, the education level ranged from incomplete-high school to university degree, and the weight changes were between +4.1% and −17.1%. Two main themes emerged from the thematic analysis revealing barriers: weight stigma (two sub-themes: internal and external stigma) and traumatic life events (three sub-themes: ‘loss of relatives,’ ‘childhood traumas,’ and ‘conflicting intimate partner relationships’). Conclusion Considering the barriers to weight loss efforts in this study, these issues need to be explicitly investigated before and during the group visits in addition to weight loss practices and behavioural changes.

Costs of social mobility in the context of intimate partner relationships. “It is really easy to be angry at someone who is in front of me and not at the system, which produces the inequalities between us”

Power inequalities originating from capitalist patriarchy are having an impact on and even determining our personal relationships: gender, class and ethnic inequality are consistently present in our intimate ties as well (Ridgeway 2009). For socially mobile individuals from lower classes, one of the main costs of moving between social classes is to exist in the complex conflict that arises from distancing from the social class of origin in order to integrate into new social spaces (Bourdieu 2005, Friedman 2016). These internal conflicts that are caused by broadened social structures are also present not just in the difficulty of finding a desired romantic partner (Durst at al. 2014) but in the process of sustaining an intimate relationship with someone from a particular social background as well. Structural inequalities are also determinative factors in partner selection, education homogamy and ethnic homogamy are highly present in society (Kamijn 1993, 1998, 2010, Kang Fu 2001). In this paper, through analysing narratives of educationally upwardly mobile women in Hungary, regarding intimate partner selection and looking at intimate relationships themselves, I aim to discover how their narratives reflect upon the hidden costs of mobility. I show how gender, education and ethnic inequalities emerge through the personal accounts of their mobility experiences and to what extent these inequalities determine the process of finding a desired partner or sustaining an existing intimate relationship.

Dyadic Influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences: Counseling Implications for Mental and Relational Health

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) predict physical and mental health. We examined dyadic differences in intimate partner relationship health by ACE score among couples with low to moderate income enrolled in a relationship education program. Overall, we found a high prevalence of ACEs, disproportionate representation in the highest risk ACE group, and a significant effect between ACEs and indicators of mental and relational health. Implications for counselors include support for an ACE‐informed approach to couples counseling services, as well as a holistic and systemic view of mental and relational health.

The Challenges of Conducting Qualitative Research on "couples" in Abusive Intimate Partner Relationships Involving Substance Use.

Undertaking qualitative dyad or couple interviews involving intimate partner abuse and substance use presents considerable ethical, safeguarding, and theoretical challenges throughout the research process from recruitment to conducting interviews and analysis. These challenges and how they were managed are outlined using the experience from a qualitative study of 14 heterosexual “couples” that explored the complex interplay between intimate partner abuse and substance use. Managing these challenges for participants, their families, and researchers included the use of safeguarding protocols and procedures to manage risk and the provision of clinical support for experienced researchers. Researchers often felt drawn into the conflicts and complex dynamics of opposing accounts from the male and females’ relationship which could be emotionally and methodologically taxing. Researchers discussing their analysis and felt experiences with each other provided a reflexive space to manage emotions and stay close to the theoretical underpinnings.

The Challenges of Conducting Qualitative Research on “couples” in Abusive Intimate Partner Relationships Involving Substance Use

Undertaking qualitative dyad or couple interviews involving intimate partner abuse and substance use presents considerable ethical, safeguarding, and theoretical challenges throughout the research process from recruitment to conducting interviews and analysis. These challenges and how they were managed are outlined using the experience from a qualitative study of 14 heterosexual couples that explored the complex interplay between intimate partner abuse and substance use. Managing these challenges for participants, their families, and researchers included the use of safeguarding protocols and procedures to manage risk and the provision of clinical support for experienced researchers. Researchers often felt drawn into the conflicts and complex dynamics of opposing accounts from the male and females' relationship which could be emotionally and methodologically taxing. Researchers discussing their analysis and felt experiences with each other provided a reflexive space to manage emotions and stay close to the theoretical underpinnings.

Women exiting prostitution: Reports of coercive control in intimate relationships

There is burgeoning research on intimate partner violence (IPV) experiences among women globally. However, there is a dearth of research on IPV experiences among marginalized populations in Western countries. Over the past decade, IPV research has shifted from a focus only on physical and sexual violence to include coercive control experiences. These include a continuum of nonviolent behaviors centered on maintaining dominance over one’s partner. However, the empirical literature on examining coercive control among women in prostitution within non-commercial intimate partners is lacking. In this study, we analyzed interviews with 17 women exiting prostitution and examined reported IPV sexual, physical, and coercive control experiences perpetrated by intimate partners. Our findings revealed that participants experienced extensive physical and sexual IPV as well as physical and non-physical coercive control within non-commercial partner relationships. Coercive control was the most frequent type of abuse reported. All nine investigated coercive control tactics were represented within participants’ descriptions. Of these, exploitation (36%), intimidation (16.3%), degradation (12.5%), and deception (10.0%) were the most commonly identified. Understanding and assessing violent actions and control dynamics within non-commercial intimate partner relationships among women exiting prostitution have important implications for various stakeholders within the criminal justice system.

Exploring Intimate Partner Relationships before and after HIV Diagnosis among Minority Older Women

ABSTRACT Objectives Literature shows that sexual activity remains important at older age and is a valued part of life. However, little is known about the intimate partner relationships (IPR) among minority older women living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The purpose of this study is to explore the effect HIV diagnosis had on the intimate partner relationships (IPR) among minority older women living with HIV (MOWH). Methods Qualitative descriptive study. A total of 28 MOWH (Black and Latinas) aged 50 years and older participated in face to face semi-structured in-depth interviews. Interviews were analyzed using content analysis. Results Three themes emerged from the analysis: (a)“Intimate partner relationships before HIV diagnosis” that revealed sexual practices increasing the risk for HIV in their intimate relationships; (b)“Facing relationship consequences of HIV disclosure after diagnosis” explored the consequences of HIV disclosure, and how disclosure determined the future of their intimate relationships; and (c) “Intimate partner relationships after HIV diagnosis” described the quality of intimate partner relationships and changes after HIV diagnosis. Conclusions Results from this study contribute to understanding and increasing awareness of the effect of HIV on the intimacy of MOWH. Clinical Implications Education provided by health care workers and interventions targeting MOWH should address the effect of HIV in IPR, address MOWH’s concerns about it, and help them to improve their overall health.

Risk Factors for Intimate Partner Violence and Relationships to Sexual Risk-Related Behaviors Among College Students

Background: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a major public health concern, often initially experienced in young adulthood; IPV has been associated with adverse sexual health and sexual risk outcomes. Objective: This study examined 1) correlates of experiencing Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and 2) IPV in relation to sexual risk-related behaviors among college students. Methods: We analyzed 2016 cross-sectional survey data regarding sociodemographics, past IPV experiences, and sexual risk-related behaviors (sex after drug/alcohol use, condomless sex) among male and female students aged 18-25 from seven Georgia colleges/universities, respectively. Results: IPV victimization was associated with being Black, greater depressive symptoms, and substance use. Multivariable regression, including sociodemographic covariates, indicated that alcohol/drug use before the last sex was associated with sexual and physical aggression victimization among men (Nagelkerke R-squared=.155), but with fewer negotiation experiences and more injury experiences among women (Nagelkerke R-squared=.107). Condom less sex at last intercourse was associated with psychological aggression experiences among women (Nagelkerke R-squared=.125), but with no IPV factor among men (Nagelkerke R-squared=.188). Conclusion: The distinct relationships between IPV and sexual risk among men and women underscore the need for targeted prevention interventions.

Petition for a Comprehensive Law against Gender-Based Violence in Cuba

Petition for a Comprehensive Law against Gender-Based Violence in Cuba

Exploring cross-day associations among intimate partner violence victimization, relationship investment, and perpetration among undergraduate men and women: A daily diary approach.

Exploring cross-day associations among intimate partner violence victimization, relationship investment, and perpetration among undergraduate men and women: A daily diary approach.

Childhood Environmental Instability and Social-Emotional Outcomes in Emerging Adults.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can negatively affect social-emotional functioning. The association between individual and cumulative ACEs and social-emotional domains of self-esteem, loneliness, and negotiation in intimate partner relationships has not been explored in low-risk emerging adults, a gap this study aims to fill. An online survey was administered to undergraduate emerging adults, ages 18 to 25 years (Mage = 19.73, SD = 1.83; N = 436; 20.60% Hispanic; 63.80% female). The ACEs Survey, Child Abuse Potential Inventory, and Conflict Tactics Scale-2nd Edition were used. Three multivariate ordinary least squares regressions were run, each including predictors significant in bivariate analyses and outcomes of self-esteem, loneliness, and negotiation for each regression. Emotional abuse, B = -.20, p < .01; emotional neglect, B = -.21, p < .001; and substance using family member, B = -.12, p < .05, were negatively associated with self-esteem; emotional neglect, B = .11, p < .01, and cumulative ACEs, B = .16, p < .01, were positively associated with loneliness; and incarcerated family member was positively associated with negotiation, B = .12, p < .05. Overall, these findings suggest that individual ACEs associated with environmental instability (e.g., emotional abuse) are strong predictors of social-emotional outcomes, relative to ACEs associated with more direct physical harm (e.g., sexual abuse).

Partner violence: Adopting a public health approach to addressing the problem

Adolescence is an exciting, critical period of development, where young people develop a sense of self, new peer and romantic relationships and have an opportunity to explore a range of new experiences. However, due to the enormity of biological, psychological, sociological and environmental changes that occur during this stage of life, young people are also vulnerable to a range of risks, one of which is intimate partner violence. Due to the lack of research on experiences of violence in adolescent intimate partner relationships, there is limited awareness and recognition of this abuse in young people, so they are often silent victims. Therefore, the aim of this article is to provide a narrative review of adolescent intimate partner violence, and to highlight the importance of adopting a public health approach, which involves transdisciplinary working to deliver primary, secondary and tertiary preventative interventions to address this hidden issue.

The state of military families in Canada: A scoping review

Introduction: For some families, the military way of life fosters close social support networks and adaptability. For others, the stresses and strains resulting from military operational requirements are challenging. Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services reviewed the most recent Canadian research to detail the issues currently facing Canadian military families. Methods: The scoping review yielded 72 articles and reports. Additionally, exclusive demographic data on family members were analyzed using data compiled by Chief Force Development. Results: Of the 72 Canadian articles, 53 were published within the past five years. These were organized thematically into categories, including demographics, common military lifestyle challenges, common family transitional challenges, and family resiliency. Discussion: Canadian military families commonly face three military journey challenges and three family journey challenges: geographical relocations due to postings; absences from family due to operational tempo; operational illness, injury, or death; personal well-being and mental health; financial stress; and intimate partner relationships. The majority of families are resilient and manage these challenges successfully; only a small percentage struggle. For those who struggle, access to systems of care and supports could enhance their resilience to manage these transitional challenges. Overall participation rates in programs and services are currently low, but the majority of those who used them perceived that they were helpful. For families to experience a stabilized family life in the face of military challenges, they need to be aware of, and able to advocate for services that are available and aligned with when, where and how they need them.

The impact of Behçet's disease on intimate relationships in women: A qualitative study.

ObjectiveBehçet’s disease is a rare and incurable condition where the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissue. Behçet’s can cause blood clots and ulcerations to form in every organ and system in the body, including deep and painful genital ulceration. The psychological impact of the disease on intimacy and relationships is unexplored. This study aimed to explore how the disease impacts on female patients’ intimate partner relationships.MethodsParticipants were seven female, UK patients with Behçet’s disease who were in committed relationships. In depth, semi-structured interviews lasting approximately 80 minutes were conducted via video conferencing about participants’ sexual functioning and intimate relationships. Data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.ResultsPatients’ sexual relationships and intimacy were impacted by issues due to lack of knowledge of symptoms (misdiagnosis of herpes), issues due to symptoms (genital manifestations, painful sex, exhaustion), difficulties communicating with medical professionals, medication, partner support, and support from fellow Behçet’s patients.DiscussionFemale Behçet’s patients are at risk of developing psychological problems with intimacy due to symptoms, lack of knowledge of symptoms, and negative impacts of medication. Intimacy needs to be discussed in medical consultations so these issues can be addressed before a lack of intimacy negatively impacts relationships.

Young women’s intimate partner relationships and institutional responses inside a California Juvenile Detention Centre

This paper examines the experiences of girls who engage in intimate partner relationships behind bars and describes how institutional actors respond to these partnerships. Current research on sexuality in prisons and detention centres largely focuses on the experiences of men. Those studies that focus on women largely ignore the experiences of underage women. Moreover, current theoretical and empirical work in this area demonstrates how monitoring sexuality is a form of social control and is largely punished behind bars. We discuss how this process works and how girls negotiate relationships in one California Juvenile Detention Centre, drawing on two years of ethnographic research and interviews with incarcerated women. We find that correctional staff often ignore sexual relationships behind bars and provide little or no sexuality and sexual health education. Additionally, we discuss the benefits and challenges to girls participating in relationships in secure confinement. Our work contributes to the small but growing body of research on sexuality behind bars.

Radical Cystectomy and Perioperative Sexual Function: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

BackgroundCancer-related changes in sexual function (SF) negatively impact quality of life and intimate partner relationships. There is a lack of data regarding SF among patients who underwent radical cystectomy (RC). AimTo comparatively evaluate perioperative SF among patients who underwent RC. MethodsA prospective cohort of 150 patients undergoing RC for bladder cancer and participating in an internal validation study at a single institution from 2016 to 2019 were eligible for analysis. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire–Bladder Cancer Muscle Invasive (EORTC QLQ–BLM 30) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Bladder were administered; those completing the SF subscale of the EORTC QLQ–BLM 30 were included in final analysis. Analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and generalized linear modeling. OutcomesThe primary outcome was interest or engagement in sexual activity within 4 weeks of survey completion, whereas the secondary outcome was a mean score on the EORTC QLQ–BLM 30 SF subscale. ResultsOverall, 132 of 150 (88%) of patients were eligible, of whom 82% were male, and the median age was 68.5 years. 53% reported at least a little interest in sexual activity, and 40% endorsed sexual activity within the last 4 weeks. The mean SF subscale score was 61.5 ± 25.2. Women had significantly worse mean scores of 72.9 ± 27.1 versus 59.1 ± 24.2 for men (P = .02). On multivariate analysis, both age and female gender were independently associated with higher SF domain scores. Clinical ImplicationsA substantial portion of patients who underwent RC endorse being sexually active or express interest in sexually activity in the perioperative period. Given the recent increase in attention given to SF outcomes and quality of life, this work supports further efforts to explore this area and develop novel interventions to improve outcomes. Strengths and LimitationsStrengths include rigorously collected, cross-sectional data using standardized methodology. Limitations include a relatively small sample size of female patients and unknown meaningful clinical difference. ConclusionsA substantial portion of patients report sexual interest and activity in the perioperative period; however, female gender is associated with worse SF domain scores. These findings support further inquiry into this topic.Westerman ME, Kokorovic A, Wang XS, et al. Radical Cystectomy and Perioperative Sexual Function: A Cross-Sectional Analysis. J Sex Med 2020;17:1995–2004.

Pacific Islands Families Study: Patterns of Intimate Partner Violence Among Pacific Mothers.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a widespread social problem affecting all populations regardless of gender, race, and socioeconomic status. The aims of this study were to examine (a) patterns of IPV among Pacific women living in New Zealand and (b) the risk and protective factors associated with IPV perpetration and victimization. As part of the longitudinal Pacific Islands Families (PIF) Study, maternal interviews, which included reports about IPV, acculturation, and sociodemographic characteristics, were administered at phases 6 weeks, 2, 6, 11, and 14 years postpartum. Age had a significant effect on perpetration of both minor and severe perpetration of IPV, and on being a victim of minor IPV. However, no significant effect was found for severe victimization. Cultural alignment also had a significant effect on perpetration of IPV with Pacific mothers who were strongly aligned to their traditional Pacific culture being significantly less likely to report minor or severe IPV perpetration compared with Pacific mothers who were closely aligned to western culture. Single mothers reported significantly more minor victimization, and those mothers who were more highly educated and were in a higher income bracket were significantly less likely to report severe physical IPV victimization. These findings can inform the timing and targeting of culturally appropriate violence prevention efforts in adolescence and young adulthood that focus on the development of healthy intimate partner relationships and effective methods of conflict resolution.