Intimate Partner Violence Behaviors Research Articles

Concordance of Mother and Father Reports of Intimate Partner Violence and Observed Interactions in Unmarried Black Coparents Expecting Their First Child.

Concordance between partner reports of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is generally low, but self-reporting of IPV and concordance between partners among expectant parents in marginalized communities has not been explored, nor have associations among each partner's reports of IPV and their behaviors in observed conflict discussions. This study will examine these gaps. One hundred and thirty-eight low-income, unmarried, Black, coparenting dyads expecting their first child together (136 mothers and 136 fathers) completed the Revised-Conflict Tactics Scale and a video recorded and coded conflict discussion. There was low concordance between parent's reports of IPV overall with moderate levels of concordance for coparents who were living together and had more harmonious relationships. Linear regression analyses indicated only mothers' reports of fathers' psychological and physical IPV but not fathers' reports of IPV were significantly associated with observed negative communication. Neither coparents' reports of psychological or physical IPV were associated with positive communication during a conflict discussion. These findings suggest that at the time of parenthood transitions, mothers' reports of fathers' IPV behaviors may be more robust in their association with negative/unhealthy couple communication patterns than fathers' reports and should be used when making safety determinations with families.

Examining Women's HIV Protective Behaviors in Nepal.

Women's autonomy in decision making has important sexual and reproductive health implications. This study uses a nationwide analysis in Nepal to examine women's autonomy, attitude toward intimate partner violence (IPV) behaviors, and HIV-related knowledge in the execution of HIV protective behaviors such as having one sexual partner or getting an HIV test to prevent HIV transmission. Secondary data analysis was conducted using the nationally represented Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (2016-2021) dataset. The sample included 9,904 women ages 15 to 49 who self-identified as ever married. Factor analysis for women's autonomy, attitude toward IPV behaviors, and HIV-related knowledge were conducted based on social dominance theory. Structural equation modeling was conducted, and the results indicated that higher autonomy decreased the risk of HIV infection through having one sexual partner. Factors related to multiple sex partners included unemployment, religious affiliation, and age. Similarly, higher autonomy, HIV-related knowledge, having a formal job, and urban residence increased women's likelihood of taking an HIV test. Women's higher education, greater wealth, religious affiliation, and youth also correlate with HIV testing. Future HIV prevention interventions should include strategies that support women's social and economic empowerment and enhance women's ability to make informed choices about their health and risks.

Intimate Partner Violence Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Hong Kong.

Purpose: This study investigated the prevalence rates of various types of intimate partner violence (IPV) among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults in Hong Kong and examined the associations between IPV and different addictive behavior and mental health problems. Methods: A total of 759 LGB adults completed an online cross-sectional survey between November 2021 and February 2022. Data on past-year IPV and LGB-specific tactics (whether perpetrated or experienced by participants), addictive behavior, anxiety, depression, and demographics were collected and analyzed with descriptive statistics and logistic regressions. Results: Psychological aggression was the most common type of IPV within an LGB relationship (22.1%), followed by physical assault (10.8%) and IPV-related injury (4.1%). LGB-specific tactics were experienced by 39.0% of the LGB adults. Depression, anxiety, and frequent gambling were significantly associated with specific types of IPV and LGB-specific tactics. Conclusion: IPV was prevalent in the LGB population. Findings on correlates provided insights for future development of IPV detection and intervention.

Examining strength at home couples to prevent intimate partner violence on a military installation: A randomized controlled trial.

In this study, the effectiveness of a couples-based group intervention to prevent intimate partner violence (IPV), Strength at Home Couples (SAH-C), was examined on a military installation relative to a comparison intervention, Supportive Prevention (SP). It was expected that greater reductions in use of physical, psychological, and sexual IPV behaviors, as well as reduced suicidality, would be found among service members and their partners in SAH-C relative to SP. Participants included 138 couples randomized to SAH-C and SP through a clinical controlled trial embedded in a hybrid effectiveness implementation study which took place on a military installation. The Revised Conflict Tactics Scales and Multidimensional Measure of Emotional Abuse were used to measure IPV, and 13 Military Suicide Research Consortium common data elements were used to assess suicidality. Service members randomized to SAH-C evidenced greater reductions based on effect sizes across the assessment time points for all IPV variables, including use of overall physical IPV, severe physical IPV, sexual IPV, psychological IPV, and coercive control IPV relative to those randomized to SP. Partners of service members demonstrated a similar general pattern for reductions in use of IPV, but findings were not as robust as for service members. Both service members and partners demonstrated greater reductions in suicidality based on effect sizes when randomized to SAH-C relative to SP. Findings extend prior work demonstrating the promising effects of SAH-C delivered in the military context and highlight the possible benefits of SAH-C in preventing self-harm thoughts and behaviors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The Association between Intimate Partner Violence and Female Syrian Refugees’ Mental Health

Abstract Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is one of the world’s most critical public health issues. Aims: The main aim of the study was (1) to examine the association between IPV and female Syrian refugees’ mental health. We also wanted: (2) to assess the prevalence of IPV and its subtypes – controlling, emotional, physical, and sexual violence – among female Syrian refugees, (3) to evaluate the association between childhood maltreatment and IPV, and (4) examine IPV and risky behaviors. Settings and Design: This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study. A clinician interviewed (n = 289) female Syrian refugees seeking therapy in Egypt. Materials and Methods: Female Syrian refugees completed the following assessments: WHO Multi-Country Study on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)-16. Results: Female Syrian refugees who had experienced IPV scored significantly higher on the BDI-II (U = 1799, P < 0.00), BAI (U = 2511.5, P < 0.00), and DERS (U = 1636, P < 0.00). In addition, 90.3% of them experienced psychological control, 91.3% emotional abuse, 39.4% physical violence, and 27% sexual violence by an intimate partner. Those who had experienced physical IPV were more likely to use substances (χ 2 = 5.8, P < 0.05), engage in binge eating (χ 2 = 17.5, P < 0.001), and have suicidal thoughts or behaviors (χ 2 = 5.1, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Female Syrian refugees with a history of IPV exhibited significantly worse mental health. There is an imperative need for mental health treatment and prevention strategies for female Syrian refugees.

Beliefs Supporting Cyber Intimate Partner Violence: Scale Development and Preliminary Psychometrics

There is limited research on risk and protective factors for cyber intimate partner violence (IPV), such as normative beliefs supporting cyber IPV. The purpose of this study was to develop a measure of normative beliefs supporting cyber IPV and to evaluate its psychometric properties. The initial item pool was developed from information gathered from focus groups, a thematic analysis of existing measures, and an expert review. The item pool was then administered to a sample of 259 emerging adults (Mage = 22 years;SD= 2.19, range = 18–25; 51% female) recruited via a Qualtrics panel. Based on an exploratory factor analysis, Horn’s Parallel Analysis, and goodness-of-fit indices, a single-factor structure was identified. Items related to monitoring cyber activity following a partner’s infidelity did not load well onto the model. A confirmatory factor analysis found strong support for a one-factor model. The Beliefs Supporting Cyber IPV scale was positively correlated with cyber IPV perpetration, in-person IPV perpetration, and beliefs supporting in-person IPV. Findings suggest that beliefs supporting cyber IPV is a distinct construct that can concurrently predict cyber IPV behaviors.

Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Denial and Underreporting in Cisgender Male Couples.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators often deny their actions, limiting opportunities for intervention. Cisgender male couples experience similar IPV rates to mixed-gender couples, yet less is known about how men in same-sex relationships deny or report their IPV behavior. This study aimed to describe perpetration denial across emotional, monitoring/controlling, and physical/sexual IPV, and to identify correlates of perpetration denial, in a convenience sample of male couples (N = 848; United States, 2016-2017). Past-year victimization and perpetration were measured with the IPV-Gay and Bisexual Men (GBM) scale; perpetration deniers were men whose self-reported perpetration contradicted their partner's reported victimization. Individual-, partner-, and dyadic-correlates of perpetration denial, by IPV-type, were identified using actor-partner interdependence models. We identified 663 (78.2%) perpetrators: 527 emotional; 490 monitoring/controlling; 267 physical/sexual. Thirty-six percent of physical/sexual-, 27.7% of emotional-, and 21.43% of monitoring/controlling-perpetrators categorically denied their actions. Depression was negatively associated with denying monitoring/controlling-perpetration (odds ratio 95% confidence interval: 0.91 [0.84, 0.99]) and physical/sexual-perpetration (0.91 [0.83, 0.97]); dyadic differences in depression were associated with emotional-perpetration denial (0.95 [0.90, 0.99]). Recent substance users had 46% lower odds of monitoring/controlling-denial (0.54 [0.32, 0.92]), versus non-users. Partner-race and employment were also significantly associated with emotional perpetration denial. This study highlights IPV denial's complexities, including differences across IPV types. Further investigations into how cisgender men in same-sex couples perceive and report various types of IPV perpetration will provide valuable insight into how an underserved and understudied population experiences IPV.

Longitudinal Associations Between Childhood Adversity and Adolescent Intimate Partner Violence in Malawi.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)-including child maltreatment, witnessing violence, and household dysfunction-have been robustly associated with poor health in later life. There is also increasing evidence that those who experience childhood adversity are more likely subsequently to be victims or perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV). Most evidence, however, is cross-sectional and concentrated in high-income settings, and cannot be generalized to more diverse contexts. In contrast, this study assessed longitudinal relations between ACEs and IPV in a low-income country. We interviewed 1,878 adolescents in rural Malawi between 2017 and 2018 (aged 10-16) and again in 2021 (aged 13-20). Adolescents completed the Adverse Childhood Experience-International Questionnaire. Past-year physical, sexual, and emotional IPV victimization and perpetration were measured using the WHO's Violence Against Women Instrument. We estimated multivariate regression models between cumulative adversity (0-13 adversities) at baseline and IPV at follow-up among respondents who reported any romantic or sexual partnerships. The cumulative ACEs score was associated with emotional IPV victimization for boys (OR = 1.12 per ACE) and sexual IPV victimization for girls (OR = 1.18). The ACEs score demonstrated a significant association with perpetration for girls only (OR = 1.33 for emotional IPV). By using longitudinal data, we more rigorously demonstrated the critical role of childhood adversity in shaping later IPV behavior. There are ongoing efforts toward primary prevention of childhood adversity. Given the burden that adolescents already carry (six ACEs on average in our sample), we also need secondary interventions that can help interrupt the pathway from adversity to IPV. This calls for increased collaboration between those working to address violence against children and violence against women.

Does sexual Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) increase risk of multiple high-risk fertility behaviours in India: evidence from National Family Health Survey 2015–16

BackgroundOne in three women from lower and middle-income countries are subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) in their life span. Prior studies have highlighted a range of adverse health impacts of sexual IPV. However, less is known about the link between multiple high-risk fertility behaviours and sexual intimate partner violence. The present study examines the statistical association between multiple high-risk fertility behaviours and sexual intimate partner violence among women in India.MethodsThe present study used a nationally representative dataset, the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) 2015–16. A total of 23,597 women were included in the study; a subsample of married women of reproductive age who have had at least one child 5 years prior to the survey and who had valid information about sexual IPV. Logistic regression models were employed alongside descriptive statistics.ResultsApproximately 7% of women who are or had been married face sexual IPV. The prevalence of sexual violence was higher among women who had short birth intervals and women who had given birth more than three times (12%). Around 11% of women who had experienced any high-risk fertility behaviours also experienced sexual violence. The unadjusted association suggested that multiple high-risk fertility behaviours were 32% (UORs = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.16–1.50) higher for those women who experienced sexual violence. After adjusting for other sociodemographic variables, except for women’s education and wealth quantile, the odds of multiple high-risk fertility behaviours were 16% (AOR = 1.16; 95% CI: 1.02–1.34) higher among women who faced sexual violence. The inclusion of women’s educational attainment and wealth status in the model made the association between sexual IPV and high-risk fertility behaviours insignificant.ConclusionSexual intimate partner violence is statistically associated with high-risk fertility behaviours among women in India. Programs and strategies designed to improve women’s reproductive health should investigate the different dimensions of sexual IPV in India.

Barriers Faced by American Indian Women in Urban Wisconsin in Seeking Help Following an Experience of Intimate Partner Violence.

American Indian1 (AI) women experience high rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) and face many barriers when help-seeking. This study aims to understand better the context of IPV and help-seeking behaviors for urban AI women after experiences with IPV. Postcolonial and Indigenous feminist frameworks framed this critical ethnography study. Semistructured interviews with 34 AI IPV survivors2 living in Wisconsin urban areas were conducted. Our findings highlight context-specific structural barriers to help-seeking after experiences of IPV heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Context-specific and survivor-led interventions are necessary to address and reduce barriers that urban AI women face.

A conceptual understanding of intimate partner violence behaviors in men: Implications for research and intervention

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a significant public health concern globally with substantial impact on the health of victims. Although research on IPV has increased substantially over the past several decades, effective evidence-based interventions to address IPV behaviors by men remain limited. The IPV field has lacked a comprehensive review of the status of research across the broad areas that have been found to be associated with use of IPV behaviors. This paper reviewed quantitative research studies of the genetic, neurocognitive, neuroendocrine, and selected environmental underpinnings of IPV behavior in men to develop a conceptual model. To date, environmental studies have been the most extensive with focus on early life adversity, trauma, attachment and substance misuse. Head injuries and neuropsychological impacts have indicated deficits in cognitive flexibility and executive functioning related to the prefrontal cortex are common in men who use IPV. Fewer studies have examined neuroendocrine or hormonal factors impacting IPV behavior but there is some evidence that cortisol and testosterone may play a role. Genetics factors have been the least explored, although there is emerging evidence of genetic heritability, and gene by environment interactions. A more comprehensive understanding of biological, psychological, and social factors will advance future IPV research and intervention.

Symptoms and online intimate partner violence during the Covid-19 Quarantine

Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic has affected the physical and mental health of the population in general, in addition, during the quarantine, online intimate partner violence behaviours may arise, which increases the probability of psychopathological symptoms, with alterations in emotional and affective states.
 Objective: The purpose this study was examine the relationship between psychopathological symptoms and online intimate partner violence behaviours during the Covid-19 pandemic.
 Method: The design was correlational cross-sectional comparative, the sample nonprobability with the participation of 588 people of between 18 and 46 years of age. Symptom Checklist- SCL-36, Cyber dating abuse questionnaire and Sociodemographic questionnaire.
 Results: Out of the total, 60 % reported having perpetrated a controlling behaviour and 54.3 % claimed to have been a victim of online abuse in your relationship, during the quarantine. It was found that there is a positive and significant relationship between cyber abuse, for both victimization and perpetration, and the psychopathological Symptomsby the Symptom Check List-36. A positive and significant relationship was also found between some symptoms assessed by the Symptom Check List-36 and sleep quality, cigarette consumption, and the intake of alcoholic and energising beverages during the quarantine. These results show that mental health may be affected by the confinement during the pandemic. Moreover, during the quarantine, intimate partner violence behaviours may arise, altering the emotional and affective state of individuals, with the appearance of symptoms of psychological disorders.
 Conclusions: Therefore, future investigations should be geared towards intervention programmes to reduce the psychological impact on the people affected.

Interventions to reduce intimate partner violence against women in low- and middle-income countries: A meta-analysis

Globally, one in four women experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at some point in their life. This is particularly prevalent in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), highlighting the need to understand how IPV can be reduced. Our aim was to summarize the evidence base for interventions to reduce IPV in LMICs. We searched for studies published in peer-reviewed journals in PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science from January 1st 2012 to November 29th 2021, and included studies that evaluated interventions directed at IPV in LMICs, targeted at individuals in intimate relationships. Effect sizes were analyzed in a three-level meta-analysis. Forty-eight interventions were identified and the approaches employed fall within five of the seven domains of the WHO RESPECT Framework. The overall effects of interventions on participants’; attitudes toward IPV and on IPV behavior were small and non-significant (attitudes: d = −0.302, 95% CI −0.635–0.032; behavior: d = −0.077, 95% CI −0.165–0.009). Heterogeneity in effects was substantial, suggesting that some interventions were more effective than others. The number of interventions available show that progress is being made to generate evidence in LMICs, but a lot more needs to be done in developing and implementing effective interventions to reduce IPV. • Forty-eight interventions from nineteen low-and middle-income countries were identified. • IPV interventions vary with regard to the risk factors they are targeted at. • Interventions did not significantly change participants' attitudes toward IPV. • Interventions deployed did not significantly change participants' IPV behavior.

Intimate Partner Violence and Breastfeeding Behaviors: Does the Source of Breastfeeding Information Affect the Associations Between Prepregnancy or Prenatal IPV and Breastfeeding Behaviors of Women in the United States? A PRAMS 2018 Study.

Background: Most countries do not meet World Health Organization's breastfeeding recommendations, and exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) hinders positive breastfeeding behaviors. One in four U.S. women (43.6 million women) experiences IPV. This study aims to assess relationships between IPV, and breastfeeding initiation, duration, and early cessation among women in 42 U.S. states; and to evaluate possible modifying effect(s) of different breastfeeding information sources. Methods: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2016-2018 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data (n = 105,230) were used to assess relationships between prepregnancy/prenatal IPV and breastfeeding initiation, duration, and early cessation; and modify effects of various breastfeeding information sources on study associations using multilogistic regression models. Results: About 1.4% of women experienced prenatal IPV with reduced odds of breastfeeding for 6 months or more (odds ratio [OR] = 0.74; 95% confidence interval = 0.58-0.94). Receiving breastfeeding information from baby's doctor modified early cessation (0.37 [0.18-0.78]) (p for interaction = 0.009) with prenatal IPV exposure. Among women exposed to prenatal IPV, breastfeeding initiation was stronger in women who received breastfeeding information from family/friends (2.46, [1.24-4.88]) (p for interaction = 0.010) or from breastfeeding support groups (3.03 [1.17-7.88]) (p for interaction = 0.023) compared to those who did not. Breastfeeding information from family/friends modified association between prepregnancy IPV and breastfeeding duration (0.67 [0.45-0.99]) (p for interaction = 0.042). Conclusions: Prenatal IPV is a risk factor for short-duration breastfeeding. Receiving information from doctors, nurses, support groups, and family/friends may improve breastfeeding behavior among IPV-exposed women. Interventions promoting breastfeeding information dissemination by family/friends, support groups, and doctors/nurses during hospital visits are encouraged.

What's In It for Me? Motivating the Untreated Abuser to Consider Treatment.

This paper presents findings of a second trial evaluating telephone-based motivational enhancement therapy (MET) to motivate untreated and unadjudicated men who abuse their intimate partners to explore treatment options. Participants’ perceptions of how their abuse is negatively affecting them personally are a highlight of the paper. One hundred forty-one adult men were recruited through social marketing and randomly assigned to the intervention (MET) or comparison (Mail) group. The MET condition consisted of two feedback sessions guided by a personalized feedback report on participants’ intimate partner violence (IPV) and substance use. The Mail condition included a mailed educational brochure on IPV and substance use. Results supported the likely effectiveness of MET in short-term reduction of IPV behavior, marijuana use, and increasing motivation for treatment seeking particularly for participants who reported more adverse consequences of IPV to themselves. Findings emphasize the importance of including a focus in interventions on IPV’s impact on the abusers themselves. The study’s virtual participation and success in reaching and retaining a diverse population of male abusers can contribute to transformative justice and communities looking for alternative early interventions for men of color prior to encountering the criminal justice system.

Motivational Interviewing for Enhancing Engagement in Intimate Partner Violence Treatment: A Quasi-Experimental Study

The outcome of treatment for intimate partner violence (IPV) is hampered by high rates of nonattendance, drop-out, and low motivation or readiness to change. As a brief pre-intervention strategy, motivational interviewing (MI) can be used for perpetrators and those who may not yet be committed to active personal change. Previous research on MI as preparation for IPV intervention programs has reported mixed results. Further research is required to address the limitations in past research and to make a distinction between MI for IPV intervention engagement and MI for IPV behavior change. The current study utilised a quasi-experimental between-groups design. Two groups (control and MI) were compared to each other on the following variables: readiness to attend IPV intervention, IPV intervention commencement and completion, the number of sessions attended, the importance of changing IPV behavior, and the ability and commitment to change these behavior. The within-group analysis found a statistically significant result from pre- to post-MI, which was associated with a large effect size (p= 0.025,r= 0.64). With regards to the other primary outcomes, the results showed that the MI participants attended significantly more IPV program sessions (mean = 12.18) compared to the control participants (mean = 7), and also completed the intervention (60%) at a higher rate than the control condition (40%). Taken together, the current study contributed to the knowledge in this area by addressing gaps in the literature, by evaluating MI as a pre-intervention strategy for increasing engagement, and including a fidelity measure. The results suggest that well defined MI for engagement has promise as a method to increase male perpetrators’ engagement in IPV intervention.

Psychological and physical intimate partner violence and sexual risk behavior among South African couples: a dyadic analysis

ABSTRACT This study aimed to examine intimate partner violence (IPV) as it relates to both partners’ perceptions of IPV and sexual behaviors, considering how their IPV might be interdependent within the relationship dynamics. The sample consisted of 713 female–male dyads in which women were pregnant and living with HIV in rural South Africa. Using an actor-partner interdependence model (APIM), we examined the interdependent influence of psychological and physical IPV on men by their female partners and psychological and physical IPV on women by their male partners on sexual risk behavior. The APIM model found there were no actor (b = −0.06, SE = 0.05, p = .221) or partner (b = −1.2, SE = 0.06, p = .056) effects contributing to protected sex by female IPV victimization. In contrast, significant actor (b = −0.28, SE = 0.06, p < .001) and partner (b = −0.29, SE = 0.06, p < .001) effects for protection were related to male IPV victimization. The model also found that the covariate of female HIV disclosure was associated with both male (b = 0.5, SE = 0.12, p < .001) and female protected sexual intercourse (b = 0.58, SE = 0.1, p < .001). Female HIV disclosure was related to an increased likelihood of protected sex by both male and female partners. As male partners reported more IPV victimization, the likelihood of protected sex between male and female partners decreased.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02085356.

Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence, Substance Use Disorders and Depression among Incarcerated Women in Lima, Perú.

Background: Globally, there is evidence supporting the co-occurrence of intimate partner violence (IPV), substance use disorders (SUD) and mental health disorders among women in prisons, however, there is limited research investigating these domains in the Andean region where rates of female incarceration have increased. The study objective was to explore the prevalence of IPV, SUD and depression among incarcerated women in a Peruvian prison and explore associations among these variables and related correlates. Methods: 249 incarcerated women responded to a questionnaire about IPV, substance use, depression, and sexual behavior, and were screened for HIV/sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Univariate analysis and logistic regression were used to estimate relative risk and the influence of substance use and depression on IPV rates. Results: Twelve months prior to incarceration, of the women with sexual partners pre-incarceration (n = 212), 69.3% experienced threats of violence, 61.4% experienced ≥1 acts of physical violence, and 28.3% reported ≥1 act of sexual aggression. Pre-incarceration, 68.1% of drug-using women had a SUD, and 61.7% of those who consumed alcohol reported hazardous/harmful drinking. There were 20 (8.0%) HIV/STD cases; and 67.5% of the women reported depressive symptoms. Compared to women with no experiences of physical violence, a greater proportion of women who experienced least l violent act had depressive symptoms and engaged in sex work pre-incarceration. Depression was associated with physical violence (adjusted relative risk = 1.35, 95% confidence interval: 1.14–1.58). Recommendations: The findings provide evidence of a syndemic of IPV, substance abuse and depression among incarcerated women in a Peruvian prison. To help guide policy makers, further research is needed to determine if this is indicative of trends for other at-risk women in the region, and viable options to treat these women during incarceration to prevent recidivism and other long-term negative sequalae.

Moderating effect of self-efficacy on the association of intimate partner violence with risky sexual behaviors among men who have sex with men in China

BackgroundIn China, men who have sex with men (MSM) face a high risk of HIV infection. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is common in this population and leads to various adverse consequences, including risky sexual behaviors, substance abuse, and poor mental health, which pose huge challenges to HIV prevention and control.MethodsAn anonymous cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the lifetime prevalence of IPV and prevalence of risky sexual behaviors during the previous 6 months in a convenience sample of 578 MSM from 15 cities covering seven geographical divisions in mainland China. The associations between IPV and risky sexual behaviors and the moderating effect of self-efficacy on these associations were explored through univariate and multivariate regression analyses.ResultsThe prevalence rates of IPV perpetration and victimization were 32.5% and 32.7%, respectively. The proportions of participants who reported inconsistent condom use with regular or casual partners and multiple regular or casual sexual partners were 25.8%, 8.3%, 22.2%, and 37.4%, respectively. Multiple IPV experiences were positively associated with risky sexual behaviors; for example, any IPV victimization was positively associated with multiple regular partners, adjusted odds ratio (ORa) = 1.54, 95% CI [1.02,2.32], and multiple casual partners, ORa = 1.93, 95% CI [1.33, 2.80]. Any IPV perpetration was positively associated with inconsistent condom use with regular partners, ORa = 1.58, 95% CI [1.04, 2.40], and multiple casual partners, ORa = 2.11, 95% CI [1.45, 3.06]. Self-efficacy was identified as a significant moderator of the association between multiple casual sexual partnership and emotional IPV.ConclusionsIn conclusion, given the high prevalence of both IPV and risky sexual behaviors among Chinese MSM in this study, the inclusion of self-efficacy in interventions targeting IPV and risky sexual behaviors should be considered.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Intimate Partner Violence; Findings From a Community Sample of Hispanic Young Adults.

In the United States, a substantial proportion of the adult population (36% of women and 34% of men) from all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds report experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) over the life course. Family risk factors have been linked to adolescent and young adult IPV involvement, yet few studies have examined the effect of multiple, co-occurring adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in the stability and change of IPV behaviors over young adulthood-the period of highest risk for IPV. We investigated the relationship between the degree of ACE exposure and IPV victimization and perpetration at age 22 and two years later at age 24 among a sample of Hispanic young adults (N= 1,273) in Southern California. Negative binomial regression models compared the incident rate ratio (IRR) of past-year verbal and physical IPV victimization and perpetration of respondents with 1-3 ACE and with ≥4 ACE to their peers who reported no history of ACE cross-sectionally (age 22) and longitudinally (age 24). At age 22, participants with 1-3 and ≥4 ACE were overrepresented in all IPV behaviors and had higher IRRs of verbal and physical victimization and perpetration compared to their peers with no ACE. By age 24, respondents with a history of ≥4 ACE were at significantly greater risk for escalating IPV behaviors over this time period than their peers with 1-3 ACE and no ACE. These findings highlight the importance of investing in coordinated efforts to develop strategies that help young people cope with the downstream effects of early life adversity. Research should continue to identify what individual, community, and cultural assets that promote resilience and are promising foci of IPV prevention approaches among vulnerable populations.