Intimate Partner Victimization Research Articles

Dissociative Symptoms in Women with Histories of Intimate Partner Victimization: A Focus on Coercive Control

ABSTRACT Identifying and contrasting different patterns of intimate partner violence (IPV) (e.g. situational couple violence, coercive controlling violence) is useful for understanding IPV and its connections with health. Applying this approach to dissociation may be fruitful, given theoretical perspectives that predict a specific connection between coercive controlling violence and dissociative symptoms. To address this, community women with divorce histories (N = 188) completed measures to identify patterns of IPV victimization in prior relationships (no direct violence, situational couple violence, coercive controlling violence), and to quantify recent dissociative symptoms and number of depressed days, for comparison. Contrary to predictions, the predicted odds of recent dissociative symptoms did not differ between women who experienced situational couple violence versus coercive controlling violence. However, the latter group had greater odds of recent dissociative symptoms, but not depressed days, compared to women with no histories of direct violence. Further, a continuous measure of coercive control was uniquely associated with increased odds of dissociative symptoms. This study provides preliminary empirical support for a connection between coercive controlling violence and dissociative symptoms, compared to women without histories of direct violence. This deserves further attention given the strong theoretical rationale for this link, and the importance of dissociation for mental health.

Men’s differential identification with female-perpetrated intimate partner victimization

ABSTRACT Men are often reluctant to self-identify as victims of female-perpetrated intimate partner violence (f-IPV), despite significant harms. This reluctance results in underreporting of experiences and a concomitant lack of support and resources for male victims. We examined predictors of men’s differential self-identification as victims of f-IPV; that is, between men who self-identify both as having experienced and as being a victim of f-IPV (abuse and victim identified = AVI), men who self-identify as having experienced f-IPV, but not as being a victim of f-IPV (abuse-only identified = AI), and men who self-identify as neither having experienced nor being a victim of f-IPV, despite behaviourally having experienced it (non-abuse and non-victim identified = N-AVI). We recruited cisgender men (N = 212) to an online study examining experiences of f-IPV and identification with abuse. About two-thirds of our sample did not self-identify as victims of f-IPV despite reporting victimisation experiences. We found that frequency of f-IPV, psychological vulnerability from f-IPV, precarious manhood beliefs, and ambivalent sexism significantly predicted men’s self-identification as victims of f-IPV. We elucidate predictors of men’s reluctance to self-identify as victims of f-IPV, allowing for the identification of men who may be less likely to seek and obtain support.

Perceived Impact of COVID-19 on Cyberabuse, Sexual Aggression, and Intimate Partner Violence Among U.S. Young Adults.

Quarantine guidelines that arose with the COVID-19 pandemic limited opportunities for social interaction, raising concerns about increases in intimate partner violence and cyberabuse while simultaneously restricting access to help. The current study assessed increases in cyberabuse, sexual aggression, and intimate partner violence victimization and perpetration during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in a U.S. nationally representative sample of young adults ages 18 to 35, recruited from a probability-based household panel. Data were collected between November 2020 and May 2021. Descriptive analyses were conducted to assess the prevalence of any self-reported increase in cyberabuse, sexual aggression, or intimate partner victimization or perpetration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Logistic regression models were run for each outcome measuring any increase compared to no increase. Approximately one in ten U.S. young adults ages 18 to 35 reported experiencing an increase in cyberabuse victimization (12.6%) and cyberabuse perpetration (8.9%) during the pandemic. Similar proportions were observed for increased sexual aggression victimization (11.8%) and perpetration (9.0%). More than one in five respondents (21.4%) reported that their intimate partner was more physically, sexually, or emotionally aggressive toward them during the pandemic. Conversely, 16.2% of respondents reported that they were more physically, sexually, or emotionally aggressive themselves toward an intimate partner, compared to their behavior before the onset of the pandemic. Having an intimate partner and staying at home more than usual during the pandemic were protective factors for both cyberabuse and sexual aggression victimization. Respondent age, education, and race and ethnicity were not associated with increased victimization or perpetration of cyberabuse or sexual aggression. However, women reported lower odds of increased sexual aggression perpetration than men. These findings improve understanding of changes to interpersonal abuse and associated risk factors during a period of social disruption.

Police-Identified Psychological Distress, Substance Use, and Physical Violence Among Male Intimate Partner Stalkers.

Risk factors for stalking violence are not well understood and few studies have examined psychological distress and substance use specifically. This study aimed to assess whether factors extant in police data could predict severity of stalking violence against intimate partner victims. Western Australia Police Force provided data for 603 men linked to a stalking charge relating to a female intimate partner. Binomial logistic regressions showed police-identified histories of psychological distress and drug use predicted moderate violence, but not severe violence. A co-occurring history of drug use and alcohol use was the strongest predictor of moderate violence (OR = 6.8). These findings suggest accounting for violence severity and substance type when examining stalking violence risk factors. Whether psychological distress and/or substance use were active problems for the men during their stalking behavior is unknown, however the detection of these problems may indicate an unmet need for treatment among this group.

When Calling the Police Exacerbates Harm: Exploring the Roles of Intimate Partner Victimization and Women’s Use of Force

When Calling the Police Exacerbates Harm: Exploring the Roles of Intimate Partner Victimization and Women’s Use of Force

Cognitive Reappraisal as a Protective Factor in the Association between Cyber Intimate Partner Victimization and Depression in Hispanic Emerging Adults

ABSTRACT Cyber intimate partner victimization (cyber IPV) has been associated with mental health problems. The present study hypothesized that cyber IPV types (i.e., psychological, sexual, stalking) uniquely affect depression symptoms in Hispanic emerging adults. In addition, cognitive reappraisal was hypothesized to moderate the unique effects of cyber IPV types on depression symptoms. Participants were 1,129 Hispanic, university-going emerging adults (M = 20.53, SD = 2.44; 72.5% female) in South Texas. Linear regression and moderation analyses were conducted to assess study aims. Psychological and sexual cyber IPV were uniquely associated with symptoms of depression but stalking cyber IPV was not. Victimization of these types of cyber IPV may cause an increase in depression symptoms. Cognitive reappraisal moderated the unique associations of both psychological and sexual cyber IPV with symptoms of depression, such that greater scores on cognitive reappraisal were associated with lower scores on depression symptoms among victims. Reappraising cognitions associated with the negative experience ensuing psychological or sexual cyber IPV may protect against depression symptoms. Findings call for development of culturally sensitive preventative and treatment programs for Hispanic IPV-survivors. Continual research should be conducted to assess the effectiveness of cognitive reappraisal in treating depression symptoms affected by cyber IPV.

Police prosecutors and LGBTIQ intimate partner violence, victims, and perpetrators: an empirical study

This paper reports on a survey exploring whether police prosecutors in the Queensland Police Service can recognise and respond appropriately to intimate partner violence (IPV) in the LGBTIQ community. Utilising an online survey featuring hypothetical vignettes of IPV involving LGBTIQ people, it sought to understand police prosecutors’ recognition of, and response to, IPV situations involving LGBTIQ people; the likelihood of IPV occurring in LGBTIQ relationships; and whether friendships, interaction (social and professional), and levels of trust in LGBTIQ people shape their perceptions of LGBTIQ victims, perpetrators, and IPV itself. Contributing new knowledge into the extant policing literature examining policing of IPV, the results of this study offer a unique insight into police prosecutors and LGBTIQ IPV and their inability to clearly distinguish between perpetrators and victims in LGBTIQ IPV scenarios, particularly where coercive control is involved, or a transgender person is the victim. We argue that enhancing police prosecutors’ recognition of, and response to, IPV situations in the LGBTIQ community is important because of the key role that prosecutors play in LGBTIQ peoples’ access to justice and responding appropriately to their needs as victims and perpetrators. The results from this study have international significance regarding developments in policing policy and practice and IPV recognition, and what this means for operational policing guidelines and better policing response when prosecuting IPV situations involving LGBTIQ people.

Intimate Partner Violence and Health Conditions Among U.S. Adults-National Intimate Partner Violence Survey, 2010-2012.

Few studies of intimate partner violence and health outcomes include multiple forms of intimate partner victimization, so this paper sought to examine health associations with intimate partner violence (IPV), including sexual, physical, stalking, and psychological forms, as well as polyvictimization. Data are from the 2010-2012 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, an on-going national random-digit-dial telephone survey of U.S. adults. There were 41,174 respondents. Logistic regression was used to compute prevalence ratios for any IPV, adjusted for demographics and non-IPV victimization. For individual forms of IPV, prevalence ratios were further adjusted for other forms of IPV. Tests for linear trend in poly-victimization were performed. Any IPV was associated with all health conditions for both sexes with a few exceptions for males. Female penetrative sexual victimization and male stalking victimization were associated with the most health conditions. For each health condition, a significant linear trend indicated that as the number of forms of IPV experienced increased, prevalence of each health condition increased, with a few exceptions for males. It is important for service providers to screen for multiple forms of IPV, including psychological aggression, because individual forms or polyvictimization may have unique and cumulative health effects.

Intimate Partner Victimization and Depressive Symptoms: Approaching Causal Inference Using a Longitudinal Twin Design

While a wealth of research reports a robust association between intimate partner victimization and depression, the relationship has not been tested using twin-based research designs to control for unmeasured genetic and shared environmental confounding. Twin data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health are analyzed to test the causal hypothesis that intimate partner victimization increases depressive symptoms across the life course. A series of twin-based research methodologies are used to examine whether twin differences in intimate partner victimization during late adolescence are associated with differences in depressive symptoms in young adulthood. Males and females did not significantly differ in their prevalence or frequency of reported intimate partner victimization during late adolescence. Genetic and nonshared environmental effects were found to account for the covariance between intimate partner victimization and depressive symptoms. After controlling for common genetic effects, within-twin pair differences in intimate partner victimization were positively associated with within-twin pair differences in depressive symptomatology. The results offer further support for the mental health consequences associated with intimate partner victimization and help strengthen causal inference arguments for the relationship between intimate partner victimization and depressive symptoms later in life.

Intimate Partner Violence and the Role of Child Maltreatment and Neighborhood Violence: A Retrospective Study of African American and US Caribbean Black Women.

Background: Research suggests that intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with childhood maltreatment and violence exposure within the neighborhood context. This study examined the role of child maltreatment and violence exposure on intimate partner violence, with the moderating effects of mental disorders (IPV) among US Black women. Methods: Data from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL), the largest and most complete sample on the mental health of US Blacks, and the first representative sample of Caribbean Blacks residing in the United States was used to address the study objectives. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test of independence, t-test, and logistic regression procedures were used to analyze the data. Results: Bivariate results indicate an association between child abuse and intimate partner victimization among US Black women. Witnessing violence as a child as well as neighborhood violence exposure was also related to IPV but shown to differ between African American and Caribbean Black women. Multivariate findings confirmed the influence of mental disorders and social conditions on US Black women’s risk for IPV. Moderating effects of child maltreatment and mental disorders in association with adult IPV were not found. Conclusions: The study addressed the short and long-term impact of child maltreatment and the contribution to the cycle of intimate violence among US Black women including African American and Caribbean Blacks. The study suggests the need for prevention and intervention efforts to improve structural conditions for at-risk populations and communities predisposed to violence and other negative outcomes. Possibilities for future research are also discussed.

Homicide-Suicide in the United States: Moving Toward an Empirically Derived Typology.

Homicide-suicide is an extremely heterogeneous and rare form of lethal violence. In an effort to capture this heterogeneity to enhance research and prevention efforts, typologies have been developed from literature reviews or geographically limited samples. The purpose of the present study was to develop the first empirically derived typology of homicide-suicide decedents, using a large, geographically diverse sample. Data were used from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Violent Death Reporting System from 2003 to 2015 across 27 states. Homicide-suicide decedents were included if they were ≥ 18 years of age, they were the only victim and suspect involved, they had a known relationship with the victim(s), and the circumstances surrounding the event were known. There were 2,447 decedents that met study criteria. Unsupervised machine learning was used to classify decedents by precipitating circumstances and victim types. Eight homicide-suicide subtypes were identified and cross-validated in a holdout sample. Three subtypes consisted of only intimate partner victims, 3 subtypes had a single victim type (children, extrafamilial, other family), and there were 2 multivictim subtypes: one that could be identified as familicide and the other in which there was indiscriminate killing, which often included an intimate partner. Subtypes were distinguishable by demographic and other characteristics (median area under the curve = 0.77). Relationship problems precipitated 60%-92% of homicide-suicides across subtypes, while mental health problems were recognized as a precipitant in 7%-72% of decedents across subtypes. The findings expand upon and validate previously proposed homicide-suicide typologies. While relationship problems are common precipitants across homicide-suicide subtypes, known mental health problems vary across subtypes.

Exposure to Childhood Maltreatment as Related to Adult Intimate Partner Victimization among College Students: The Contribution of Childhood Polyvictimization

This study will explore polyvictimization as a child and the effects of this on adult intimate personal violence. The study consisted of 260 surveys of participants at a northeastern middle size university. Cross tabulations and binomial regressions were conducted. The current study had two objectives: 1) to examine the extent of partner victimization and child maltreatment (witnessing intra-parental abuse and/or experiencing child abuse/sexual abuse) among a sample of college students and determine whether these experiences vary by gender; 2) to explore whether polyvictimization, including child maltreatment, may increase the risk of intimate partner victimization in adulthood. Findings revealed that women were statistically significantly more likely than men to report experiencing higher rates of psychological, physical and sexual abuse as an adult, although findings indicated men were also victimized by a partner within the last year. A large number of respondents reported experiencing maltreatment as a child, which included physical abuse, sexual abuse, or witnessing abuse by a parent/caregiver, although findings in the current study revealed no significant differences between men and women. The results also found some support for the effects of polyvictimization and adult intimate partner victimization. Implications and directions for further research are discussed. It is suggested that institutions develop means to educate and address these concerns for all genders. Parents/caregivers and health professionals should be made aware of effects on adults’ experiences of intimate partner violence that violence witnessed as a child and abuse experienced as a child may have.

Healthcare Use for Violent Injury After Intimate Partner Violence Identified Through the Justice System: A Data Linkage Study

IntroductionRoutine health care information systems only capture a portion of violence against women because some victimized women may not seek health care and some events may not require medical attention. Population-based estimates of the risk of violent injury (VI) among women with a history of intimate partner victimization (IPV) are lacking.
 Objectives and ApproachTo determine the risk of violent injury following IPV among women living in Manitoba, Canada, 2004-2016. Linked administrative justice, healthcare, and social databases were used. Exposure began after a woman was first involved with the Manitoba Justice system as a victim of IPV, assessed through provincial prosecution and disposition records. IPV victims (n= 20,469) were matched to three non-victims (n= 61,407) on age, relationship status and place of residence at the date of the IPV incident. The main outcomes were first health care use for violent injury and violent death. Outcomes were assessed through emergency department, hospital and vital statistics records. Conditional Cox Regression was used to obtain Hazard Ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
 ResultsThe crude risk of VI was 8.5 per 1000 women among non-victims and 55.8 among victims of IPV. Compared to non-victims, IPV victims were 3.8 [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.4, 4.3] times more likely to suffer IIIO and 4.5 [95% CI: 2.3, 9.0] times to have a violent death, after adjustment. Victims had approximately half the risk of VI if the accused is on probation.
 Conclusion / ImplicationsJustice System-identified victims of IPV are at higher risk of assault and violent death than women not exposed to IPV. Justice involvement represents an opportunity for prevention of violent injury and homicide among IPV victims.

Unique and Cumulative Effects of Intimate Partner Cybervictimization Types on Alcohol Use in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Emerging Adults.

The use of modern technology has inadvertently created newer platforms for intimate partner victimization to take place. The present study investigated (1) whether psychological, sexual, and stalking cyber intimate partner victimization (cyber IPV) types were uniquely associated with alcohol use, and (2) whether there was additive effect of cyber IPV types on alcohol use, after controlling for histories of childhood maltreatment types and face-to-face intimate partner victimization among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) emerging adults. Participants were 277 self-identifying LGB individuals in the age range of 18-29 years (M = 25.39, SD = 2.77; 16.6% lesbian, 25.6% gay, 43% bisexual women). Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing cyber IPV types, namely, psychological, sexual, and stalking, five forms of childhood maltreatment, face-to-face IPV types (i.e., physical, psychological, and sexual), and alcohol use. Findings indicated that 29.2% (n = 81) endorsed all three types of cyber IPV. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that only sexual cyber IPV was uniquely associated with alcohol use. In support of the cumulative risk hypothesis, those with exposure to three types of cyber IPV were more likely to have greater alcohol use compared to those with exposure to any one type of cyber IPV. Findings indicate that cyber IPV can lead to behavioral health challenges, such as an increase in alcohol use among LGB emerging adults. Findings call for interventions focusing on generating awareness regarding the ill effects of cyber IPV and for mental health professionals to develop treatment programs to aid in the well-being of the victim.

The Connection Between Animal Abuse, Emotional Abuse, and Financial Abuse in Intimate Relationships: Evidence From a Nationally Representative Sample of the General Public.

This article empirically examines the extent to which the co-occurrence of the maltreatment of companion animals and intimate partner violence (IPV) previously documented in samples of women accessing services from domestic violence shelters extends to a nationally representative sample of the general Canadian population, with a specific focus on emotional and financial abuse. Using data from the intimate partner victimization module of the 2014 Canadian General Social Survey (n = 17,950), the authors find that reporting one's intimate partner threatened or abused companion animals in the home increased the probability that one had experienced at least one form of emotional abuse or financial abuse by 38.6% (p ≤ .001) and 7.5% (p ≤ .001), respectively, net of several key control variables. Moreover, the findings indicate that those who identify as women are significantly more likely to report their partner emotionally or financially abused them and threatened or mistreated their pet(s); the connection between animal maltreatment and IPV is particularly pronounced for emotional IPV when compared with other forms of IPV; challenge the commonplace conceptualization of animal abuse as a form of property abuse; and suggest a need for a more nuanced understanding of IPV perpetrators vis-à-vis animal maltreatment. This is the first study to use nationally representative data to assess the co-occurrence of animal abuse and IPV, and as such, it makes significant contributions to the interdisciplinary literature on animal abuse and IPV.

Unique, Additive, and Interactive Effects of Types of Intimate Partner Cybervictimization on Depression in Hispanic Emerging Adults.

The advent of modern technology has inadvertently created newer avenues for intimate partner victimization (IPV) to transpire. This study investigated (a) whether psychological, sexual, and stalking intimate partner cybervictimization (cyber IPV) types were uniquely associated with depression and whether there were (b) additive and (c) interactive effects of cyber IPV types on depression, after controlling for face-to-face IPV among Hispanic emerging adults. Participants were 903 Hispanic emerging adults in the age range of 18 to 29 years (M = 20.68, SD = 2.42; 74% female) attending a public university in South Texas. Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing cyber IPV types (psychological, sexual, and stalking), face-to-face IPV types (physical, psychological, and sexual), and depression. Results indicated that nearly three-fourths (73%) of the sample endorsed at least one type of cyber IPV. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that psychological and sexual cyber IPV was uniquely associated with depression. An accumulating effect (additive effect model) of the three types of cyber IPV on depression was also found. Interaction effect model analysis yielded no significant effects. Findings reveal the detrimental effect of cyber IPV on mental health and calls for institutions and clinicians to develop preventive and treatment programs to aid victim-survivors.

Computerized intervention for reducing intimate partner victimization for perinatal women seeking mental health treatment: A multisite randomized clinical trial protocol

Intimate partner victimization (IPV) is a significant social and public health problem among perinatal women. Research suggests that 21% to 33% of perinatal women report IPV and there is an enormous amount of morbidity associated with IPV. Moreover, IPV places women at high risk for several psychiatric disorders, which transforms the perinatal period from an already challenging process into a potentially overwhelming one. Further, IPV and untreated mental illness during the perinatal period pose a dual risk of adverse physical and emotional outcomes for women and their developing fetus/infant. Given the high rates of IPV among women who seek mental health treatment, mental health clinics compared to other medical settings are more effective sites for focused case finding and intervention. Our team has successfully tested an innovative, computerized intervention, Strength for U in Relationship Empowerment (SURE). SURE is a brief, interactive program consistent with motivational interviewing and incorporates empowerment strategies. The proposed multisite randomized clinical trial (N = 186) will test whether SURE relative to control is associated with reduced IPV, greater positive affect and well-being, and greater perceived emotional support. We will also evaluate the role of theoretical mediators of empowerment and self-efficacy. Finally, we will estimate the resources needed and costs to deliver SURE, as well as the incremental cost effectiveness of SURE compared with treatment as usual. If SURE is found to be efficacious and cost effective, it can be easily integrated into clinical care and will fill a critical gap for a vulnerable, high-risk population.

Multilevel factors associated with the intergenerational continuity of child sexual abuse

BackgroundDespite burgeoning interest in the phenomenon of intergenerational continuity, literature concerning risk and protective factors in the context of child sexual abuse (CSA) is still underdeveloped. ObjectiveSince the identification of such risk and protective factors is essential in order to break these negative cycles, the present study aimed to identify specific multilevel factors associated with the continuity of CSA in a large sample of mother–child dyads using secondary analysis of data. Participants and settingMother-child dyads (n = 1,250) were divided into four groups: 1) CSA Both (mother and child are victims); 2) CSA Mother (only mothers are victims); 3) CSA Neither (mother and child are not victims); and 4) CSA Child (only children are victims). MethodsMothers completed a series of self-report measures assessing maternal characteristics (e.g., history of intimate partner victimization, psychological functioning), parenting and familial characteristics (e.g., cohesion, conflicts, empowerment), and demographic variables (e.g., early maternity, income, education). ResultsThe four groups were compared using analyses of variance and chi-square analyses. Overall, mothers in the CSA Both group showed an increased number of risk factors compared to the mothers in the other three groups; however, mothers in the CSA Child group also presented with high levels of risk factors. ConclusionsFindings suggest that practitioners should be attentive to the needs of the mothers of young CSA victims they are serving, since mothers involved in the cycle of intergenerational continuity appear to be particularly vulnerable and distressed.

Cyber and in-person intimate partner violence victimization: Examining maladaptive psychosocial and behavioral correlates

This study examines psychological and behavioral correlates of cyber and in-person intimate partner victimization (IP-IPV; psychological, physical, and sexual violence) including strain (i.e., depression and anger), substance use, and antisocial behavior among young adults. Because intimate partner cyber aggression victimization (C-IPV) has received less research attention than IP-IPV, it is important to learn whether such victimization experiences are similar to in-person victimization experiences in terms of their associations with maladaptive functioning or whether they comprise a unique form of IPV. The study also explores strain as a potential mediator of the link between IPV victimization and maladaptive behavior. A sample of undergraduate students aged 18-25 who were in intimate relationships during the past year participated in a voluntary and anonymous online survey (n = 540). Results signaled that C-IPV and IP-IPV shared similar correlates (e.g. depression, substance use, and antisocial behavior) and C-IPV was linked with more forms of maladaptive behavior than certain types of in-person IPV victimization (e.g., sexual and physical) experiences. Results indicated partial support for the predicted mediation. Males were also at higher risk for engaging in substance use and antisocial behavior across all models. The study suggests that harmful electronic exchanges may have adverse consequences for young adults. As such, services providers and educators addressing the issue of IPV should tailor prevention and intervention strategies in a way that is inclusive of cyber aggression and considers it a public health concern.

Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration, Victimization, and Overlap Among Serious Juvenile Offenders: Trajectories of Emerging Adulthood.

This study uses group-based trajectory analysis and data from the Pathways to Desistance Study to examine the prevalence and patterns of intimate partner victimization, offending, and overlap among justice-involved adolescents (i.e., general offenders) who reported dating (n = 909); regression analysis was further utilized to assess predictors of intimate partner violence (IPV) group membership. Findings revealed that 40% of adjudicated youth reported IPV as a victim, an offender, or as both a victim and an offender during emerging adulthood. Findings also indicated that there was significant overlap between victimization and offending, and 5% of the sample was assigned to both the high-rate perpetration and victimization trajectory groups. Maternal hostility, alcohol use, and witnessing violence predicted higher rate perpetration and victimization overlap group membership compared with very-low-rate perpetration/victimization group membership. Implications for informing policy and future research are discussed.