Intimate Partner Violence Victimization Research Articles

The Effects of Polyvictimization by Intimate Partners on Suicidality Among Salvadoran Women.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) victims tend to suffer from various mental health issues. Mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts and attempts caused by IPV victimization, might be more severe among women in El Salvador, where violence against women is prevalent overall. Although polyvictimization, which is defined as experiencing more than one type of violence by one or multiple partners, is associated with more severe mental health consequences than victimization by just a single form of violence due to accumulative trauma, not enough attention has been paid to this phenomenon among Salvadoran women. Thus, guided by trauma theory, this study aimed to examine the impact of polyvictimization from different types of violence (i.e., physical, sexual, emotional, and economic) on suicidal thoughts and attempts among Salvadoran women using the 2017 Violence Against Women National Survey. A nationally representative sample of 3,074 Salvadoran women aged 15 years or older and who had experienced an intimate relationship in their lifetime, recruited through a multistage random sampling design, was analyzed in this study using logistic regression analyses. We found that psychological and economic violence, along with physical and sexual violence, had statistically significant associations with suicidal thoughts and attempts, and polyvictimization increased suicidal thoughts and attempts. Based on this study's findings, we recommend effective research and practice or intervention implementation for addressing IPV and associated mental health problems among Salvadoran women.

A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Community-Based Intimate Partner Violence Interventions in India.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) in India remains an entrenched and prevalent public health issue. Despite ample evidence of the widespread problem of IPV in India and associated mental and physical morbidities, far less is known about intervention models to reduce IPV in India. The aims of this meta-analysis and systematic review are to assess the effectiveness of community-based interventions to reduce IPV in India and to provide a narrative synthesis of these intervention approaches. A total of 9 databases were searched to identify peer-reviewed, English-language articles published between January 2000 and September 2022. The search identified 10 studies that met study inclusion criteria, including 3 randomized control trials, 4 quasi-experimental, 2 pre/post, and 1 time-series evaluation. Eight studies were included in the meta-analysis. There was notable variation in the interventions and approaches employed to reduce IPV and varying measurement of IPV outcomes. The results of the meta-analysis show that participating in community-based IPV interventions produced a significant reduction in IPV among women. When considering different types of IPV, study participants were less likely to report physical and psychological IPV victimization. In addition, participants were also less likely to report approving of IPV after participating in community-based IPV interventions. Community-based interventions and research addressing IPV are still evolving in India. Missing descriptions of theoretical frameworks, sampling, intervention design, and inadequately reported effectiveness of intervention (both quantitative and qualitative reporting) need to be addressed. Moreover, long-term evaluations of the pilot interventions are needed to provide a clear picture of the long-term effectiveness, sustainability, and replicability of the community-based IPV interventions. The findings have implications for researchers, practitioners (community health workers, clinicians, and social workers), and policymakers keen on IPV reduction in India and globally.

Analysis of the descriptive characteristics of female victims of violence applying to the domestic violence office of a court of law

Introduction and PurposeIntimate partner violence is a worldwide problem violating fundamental human rights. The aim of this study was to analyse the sociodemographic characteristics of women who have experienced intimate partner violence, the type and prevalence of violence, the mechanisms of injury as determined by forensic reports, the characteristics of the perpetrator, and the women's statements. Materials and methodsThis was a single-site descriptive study conducted at the Office of Domestic Violence and Violence Against Women of a Court of Law located in the city of Izmir in western Turkey. The researchers reviewed forensic medicine case reports and prosecutorial writs in this office's files for women over 18 who had experienced violence over the period 2016–2019. The study sample consisted of the judicial application files of women who had experienced intimate partner violence and met the inclusion criteria (n = 350). The data in the files were entered into a standard form prepared by the researchers according to the file content. Written permission was obtained from the Ministry of Justice and Ege University Ethics Committee, and the verbal consent of the Prosecuting Officer was also obtained for the research. ResultsThe ages of the women ranged from 19 to 80 years (mean age 35, SD 9.6), with 43.1% ranging from 30 to 39 years old. Of the women, 46.6% had a maximum primary school education, and 65.4% were homemakers. Incidents of intimate partner violence mainly occurred at home for 89.1% of women. A combination of verbal and physical violence was the most frequent form of violence affecting 303 women (83.4% of cases). The facial area was predominantly the target of attack for 59 (16.9%) victims, only the upper extremity for 55 (15.7%) and the face and upper extremity for 36 (10.2%) women. The statements of the victims of violence who described their experience were evaluated, and it was determined that the reasons for the emergence of violence were frequently alcohol and substance use, financial problems, jealousy, sexual problems, communication problems, and cheating. Conclusion and SuggestionsMost of the women in the study who had applied to law enforcement due to intimate partner violence were victims of physical violence. The descriptive information obtained from these files constitutes essential data for health professionals in their efforts to deliver primary healthcare to women who are victims of intimate partner violence. Health professionals can provide immediate protection by identifying women at high risk of violence, monitoring them more frequently, and activating the support mechanisms they need.

Attribution of Blame in an Intimate Partner Violence Situation: The Effect of Victim Sexuality and Observer Sex.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an extensive public health concern, largely affecting women aged 20 to 24 years. Research suggests that bisexual women are more likely than heterosexual and homosexual women to be victims of IPV. Bisexual women are also more likely to be blamed for their abuse experiences after disclosing, a phenomenon known as victim blame attribution (VBA). However, very little VBA research recognizes bisexuality as a separate category. Therefore, the main aim of this quasi-experimental study was to investigate the role of female victim sexuality (bisexuality, homosexuality, and heterosexuality) and observer sex in the attribution of blame to the victim and perpetrator of IPV. Participants (N = 232; aged 18-24 years, M = 21.05, SD = 1.73) were randomly assigned into one of four conditions (heterosexual victim, bisexual victim with same-sex partner, bisexual victim with different-sex partner, homosexual victim), each containing a vignette portraying IPV within a relationship. Randomization checks were performed to ensure that participants in the four conditions did not differ significantly on underlying attitudes (institutional heterosexism (IH), aversive heterosexism (AH), heterosexual privilege (HP), sexist attitudes, just world beliefs) that may have affected their responses on outcome measures. Main analyses demonstrated that bisexual victims with a same-sex partner received the highest attribution of blame, whereas perpetrators in this condition received the lowest blame attribution. Male participants attributed significantly higher blame to victims than did female participants, regardless of victim sexuality. These findings substantiate the role of victim sexuality and observer sex in IPV blame attribution patterns. This research aimed to promote equality and rightful treatment to all victims of IPV regardless of their sexuality.

No Escape: Mass Incarceration and the Social Ecology of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women.

Women in heavily policed and incarcerated communities face extremely high rates of intimate partner violence (IPV)-but how criminal legal system contact affects such violence remains poorly understood. This study explores the social ecology of IPV by fitting structural equation models to longitudinal, dyadic data from households in contact with the criminal legal system (N = 2,224) and their local communities. Results suggest that a complex of factors at multiple social-ecological levels-including adverse local conditions, dysfunctional couple conflict, and men's behavioral health and perceptions of their neighborhoods-may put women at heightened risk of IPV victimization in a time of mass incarceration.

“How Can I Be a Victim When I Have children?” Abused Men’s Perceptions of Their Children’s Exposure to Domestic Violence

ABSTRACT A growing body of research finds many men are victims of intimate partner violence (IPV), but there is limited research on children’s exposure to domestic violence (CEDV) in relationships where fathers are the victims of IPV. We focus on fathers’ perceptions of CEDV in the narratives of 30 men who experienced IPV and who are from four English-speaking countries. Four main themes were identified across the countries: children as victims of abuse; effect of abuse on children; the men’s attempts to help children, and men’s own victimization in the light of CEDV. Most of the men reported that their children experienced different types of abuse, including neglect, witnessing the abuse of the father, physical and psychological abuse, and kidnapping. Effects of abuse on children varied from emotional suffering and estrangement to anger toward parents and turning against the father. Men’s attempt to intervene in the abuse of children included directly protecting children from abuse and staying in abusive relationships to protect the children. In addition, the men’s own victimization often took place in front of children. Finally, the men reported that their partners often used their children in their partners’ abuse of the men, such as through parental alienation. The implications of these findings for developing more gender-inclusive policies and programs for abused men and their children are discussed.

Intimate Partner Violence Fear-11 Scale: An Item Response Analysis.

Victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) often fear their intimate partners and the abuse they perpetrate against them. Fear in the context of IPV has been studied for decades yet, we lack a rigorously validated measure. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the psychometric properties of a multi-item scale measuring fear of an abusive male partner and/or the abuse he perpetrates. We used Item Response modeling to evaluate the psychometric properties of a scale measuring women's fear of IPV by their male partner across two distinct samples: 1) a calibration sample of 412 women and 2) a confirmation sample of 298 women. Results provide a detailed overview of the psychometric functioning of the Intimate Partner Violence Fear-11 Scale. Items were strongly related to the latent fear factor, with discrimination values universally above a = 0.80 in both samples. Overall, the IPV Fear-11 Scale is psychometrically robust across both samples. All items were highly discriminating and the full scale was reliable across the range of the latent fear trait. Reliability was exceptionally high for measuring individuals experiencing moderate to high levels of fear. Finally, the IPV Fear-11 Scale was moderately to strongly correlated with depression symptoms, posttraumatic stress symptoms and physical victimization. The IPV Fear-11 Scale was psychometrically robust across both samples and was associated with a number of relevant covariates. Results support the utility of the IPV Fear-11 Scale for assessing fear of an abusive partner among women in relationships with men.

Digital Interventions to Support and Treat Victims of Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a public health issue. Digital interventions are emerging as a promise to overcome known-barriers to accessing usual IPV services, which have been supporting and treating IPV victims or their survivors, offering safer, more interactive, and real time access to help. Hence, a systematic review was carried out to identify and characterize current digital interventions to respond to IPV, including associated mental health conditions, and related outcomes among victims and survivors. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched in three databases: EBSCOhost, PubMed, and Web of Science. Last search was performed in December 2022. Of the 1,816 electronic articles retrieved, and six added after a manual search, 16 studies were selected. Published between 2010 and 2021, the studies were experimental or quasi-experimental, with quantitative methodologies. Publication data, objectives, sample, design, instruments, intervention characteristics, results and conclusions were extracted from each study. Regarding results, safety decision aid or a variant was the most reported digital intervention. Significant improvements were identified for IPV exposure, related outcomes such as decisional conflict and safety strategies, and mental health conditions. In short, digital interventions hold promise, however there is a clear need for research focused on hard-to-reach victims or women who have left the abuser. Digital interventions have to be adapted to their needs, and security and privacy issues must be better ensured. The risk of publication bias and the exclusion of some specific keywords in the search were limitations of the study.

The Relationship Between Father Absence and Intimate Partner Violence Victimization and Perpetration: Does Timing Matter?

The Relationship Between Father Absence and Intimate Partner Violence Victimization and Perpetration: Does Timing Matter?

Prevalence, Perpetrators, and Factors Associated With Intimate Partner Violence Among Adolescents Living in Urban Slums of Kampala, Uganda.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) poses a public health burden, yet few studies have assessed co-existence of physical, emotional, and sexual IPV among adolescents. We assessed recent IPV victimization and associated factors and described IPV patterns and perpetrators among young people from urban slums in Kampala, Uganda. We conducted a prospective cohort study among 14 to 19-year-old individuals enrolled from March 2019 to March 2020 and followed quarterly for 12 months. We collected data on socio-demographics, sexual behavior, and substance use through interviews. Recent IPV victimization was documented at all visits if a participant reported experiencing physical, emotional, and/or sexual IPV in the past 3 months. Baseline factors associated with recent IPV victimization were determined using multivariable logistic regression. We enrolled 490 adolescents (60.6% female) with median age 18 years (Interquartile range (IQR) 17-18 years), 91.0% had less than secondary level education. Females mainly engaged in sex work (17.5%) and selling fruits/snacks (9.1%) while males commonly earned from sale of metal scrap or plastic waste (28.5%), 41% reported ≥10 life-time sexual partners, 16.1% were high-risk alcohol drinkers and 34.9% used illicit drugs in the past 3 months. Overall, 27.8% reported recent IPV victimization (20.0% females) with emotional IPV being common (17.8%). At baseline, recent IPV victimization was associated with high-risk alcohol consumption (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.57; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.44, 4.58]), reported paid sex in the past 3 months (aOR 1.82; [1.02, 3.22]) and being separated (aOR 2.47; [1.29, 4.73]). Recent IPV victimization declined from baseline to month 9 and increased at month 12 visits which coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. IPV victimization is high among young people living in urban slums with emotional IPV being prevalent. IPV interventions are needed and should also address excessive alcohol consumption.

Literature Review of Psychological Treatments among Victims of Intimate Partner Violence

The paper has provided an extensive review on the subject matter of the psychological treatments that are commonly used among the victims of Intimate Partner Violence. The individuals in the mentioned population are known to experience IPV in the form of physical, psychological and sexual abuse, mostly. In turn, it affects their mental health, and hence the need for them to receive psychological treatment based on specific symptoms being experienced. The review has given consideration to the psychological treatments that are supported by empirical evidence. The psychological treatments included in this review include Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Meta-cognitive Interpersonal Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. In addition, in the review, relevant recommendations have been made to ensure that victims of IPV are able to benefit significantly from the psychological treatments. There is also a need for researchers to come up with other interventions or treatment modalities for other none common adverse effects of IPV. Keywords: Intimate Partner Violence, Psychological Treatments, Victims, Sexual Abuse, Psychological Abuse, Physical Abuse, Depressive, Anxiety, Post-Traumatic Symptoms, Post-Traumatic Disorder.

Saliva as a diagnostic tool to measure polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure in dental patients exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV)

BackgroundSocial habits such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and chemically contaminated diet contribute to poor oral health. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a global public health epidemic which can exacerbate the prevalence of health conditions affecting a victim's lifespan. This study investigates using saliva as a biomarker for detecting levels of benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P]; a toxicant present in cigarette smoke and barbecued meat in a population of IPV + female patients. MethodsA cross-sectional IRB-approved study utilized 63 female participants (37 African Americans [AA], and 26 non-African Americans [NAA]), who provided consent for the study. Participants submitted samples of saliva, as well as questionnaires about demographics, health history, and a well-validated (IPV) screen. ResultsThe prevalence of IPV was greater in AA compared to NAA. While the concentrations of PAHs/B(a)P detected in saliva of IPV samples in NAA were generally within the range of B(a)P reported for saliva from elsewhere, the concentrations were high in some IPV positive samples. Among the B(a)P metabolites, the concentrations of B(a)P 7,8-diol, B(a)P 3,6- and 6,12-dione metabolites were greater than the other metabolite in both AA and non-AA groups who were positive. ConclusionOur study supports the use of saliva as a potential “diagnostic rheostat” to identify toxicants that may exacerbate/precipitate systemic disease in female victims of IPV. In addition, our study is the first to report that IPV may precipitate the accumulation of B(a)P in oral cavity that can alter inflammatory cascades and increase risk of poor health outcomes in this population of patients.

Physical and Psychological Intimate Partner Violence among Hispanic Origin Emerging Adults: Co-Occurrence, Bidirectionality, and Persistence

ABSTRACT Using two waves of data from a multi-wave longitudinal survey of Hispanic origin young adults (n = 1,547), this study examined the empirical links between physical and psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and perpetration, and two key social risk factors in emerging adulthood (high-risk sexual behavior and poor mental health). Respondents were recruited from the Los Angeles, CA area. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analyses. Overall, our analyses found that incidents of IPV at an earlier time point predicted experiencing IPV at a later time point in a similar fashion, indicating that IPV persisted over time. Additionally, this study found that physical and psychological IPV often co-occurred, irrespective of the direction of the violence (perpetration or victimization). Next, respondents who reported a greater number of lifetime sexual partners and poor mental health reported more physical IPV perpetration. Among the socio-demographics, male respondents were more likely to face IPV physical victimization but less likely to perpetrate this form of violence than their female counterparts. This study highlights the importance of examining the co-occurrence, bidirectionality, and persistence of IPV in understanding its dynamic mechanisms, advancing risk identification, and developing preventive measures to mitigate IPV risks.

166. Lifetime Experiences of Digital and In-Person Intimate Partner Violence Victimization Among Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents in the Deep South

166. Lifetime Experiences of Digital and In-Person Intimate Partner Violence Victimization Among Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents in the Deep South

Looking Within: An Analysis of Intimate Partner Violence Victimization Among Sexual Minority Youth.

Sexual minority youth are at increased risk of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization compared to their heterosexual peers. However, the sexual minority population is not a homogenous group and risk of IPV victimization varies by LGB+ subgroup (e.g., gay/lesbian, bisexual, and unsure). Using two waves of data (2017, 2019) from the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), this study analyzes (a) differences in physical and sexual IPV victimization between heterosexual and sexual minority youth, (b) within group differences among sexual minority youth, and (c) if the relationship between IPV victimization and sexual identity is attenuated after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and theoretically relevant risk factors. Results indicate that sexual minority youth are at elevated risk of IPV victimization compared to their heterosexual peers. Within-LGB+ analyses show that bisexual youth are more likely than gay/lesbian youth to be victims of sexual IPV. The association between physical and sexual IPV victimization and sexual identity is partially attenuated by sociodemographic variables and observed risk factors. Findings indicate that intervention and prevention programming should be tailored to identify, and treat, the risks and needs of unique, at-risk populations.

Imaging Findings on Head Computed Tomography Scans in Victims of Intimate Partner Violence.

The aim of the study is to analyze the imaging findings and injury patterns seen on head computed tomography (CT) examinations performed on survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). An institutional review board-approved retrospective analysis of 668 patients reporting IPV to our institution's violence intervention and prevention program between January 2013 and June 2018 identified 40 unique patients with radiological findings visible on head CT. All injuries visible on head CT were analyzed based on the anatomic location and injury type. Demographics, IPV screening at the time of injury, concomitant, prior, and subsequent injuries to the index head injury were also recorded. Our study cohort had 36 women and 4 men with a mean age at presentation of 43 ± 13 years (mean ± SD), 91 unique injuries with 57 (62.6%) isolated soft tissue injuries, 4 (3.2%) fractures, 13 (14.3%) intra-axial, and 17 (18.7%) extra-axial injuries. Soft tissue injuries and intra-axial injuries occurred most commonly in the frontal region (45.6% and 38.5%), followed by the parietal region (22.8% and 23.1%), while most extra-axial injuries were subdural hematomas (41.2%). Left-sided injuries accounted for 49% (45/91) with 29/91 right-sided (32%) and 17/91 bilateral (19%) injuries. The IPV screening occurred in 44% of injury visits (22/50). Concomitant injuries were seen in 14/50 injury visits (28%), most commonly being in the lower extremity (6/14, 42.9% [% of visits with concomitant injuries]) followed by the upper extremity (5/14, 35.7%), while 52% of visits (26/50) were preceded by prior injuries and 68% of events (34/50) were followed by subsequent injuries. Isolated soft tissue swelling is the most common manifestation of IPV on head CT scans with frontoparietal region being the most common site. Synchronous and metachronous injuries are frequent.

Escala de Valoración del Riesgo de Violencia Grave contra la Mujer (VRVG-M). Ámbito de Pareja

Violence against the partner has various consequences in the victims and often has lethal consequences. This research developed the Risk Assessment Scale for Serious Violence against Women (RASV-W), which aims to identify the risk of occurrences of serious violence against the partner. The research was carried out in 7 cities in Perú and 598 women victims of intimate partner violence participated. The results showed adequate construct validity (CFI = .973, TLI = .964, RMSEA = .052, and RMRS = .0395, composite reliability > .70, and mean variance extracted > .50 for all factors) and diagnostic accuracy (AUC = .87), so the RASV-W scale is an adequate instrument that helps to assess the risk of serious violence against women within the sphere of the couple. The incorporation and predictive contribution of some risk factors in this type of instrument is discussed.

Factors Correlated With Sexual Assault Victimization Among College Students in the United States: A Meta-Analysis.

Sexual assault (SA) continues to be a serious problem on college campuses in the United States. This meta-analysis sought to identify correlates for SA victimization on college campuses, as well as examine if there were any differences in correlates for men and women. Database searches utilizing Boolean search terms were used to identify studies to be included in the meta-analysis. Studies were included if they provided quantitative data on correlates for SA victimization among college students. A total of 118 studies yielding 405 unique effect sizes were included in this study. The strongest correlates for SA victimization among college students were physical intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration, physical IPV victimization, emotional IPV victimization, and prior SA victimization. Other significant correlates were related to mental health (e.g., hopelessness, suicidal ideation, trauma symptoms, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms), and factors related to a campus party culture (e.g., binge drinking, alcohol use, drug use, Greek membership). We were able to compare seven correlates between men and women. Results of the meta-analysis also highlight the need for future research to examine additional correlates for SA victimization, as well as examine race/ethnicity and gender as separate categories when trying to further understand correlates for SA victimization.

Child and parent factors predictive of mothers' and fathers' perceived family functioning.

Understanding family functioning, particularly the risk and protective factors that may contribute to adaptive versus maladaptive family processes, is critical to promote child and family well-being and resilience. Guided by family systems theory and the family stress model, this study longitudinally investigated parents' and toddlers' individual-level challenges and parental internal resources as potential predictors of subsequent perceived family functioning (i.e., general family functioning and family conflict), while accounting for earlier couple functioning. First-time mothers' and fathers' reports of psychological distress, perceived child behavior problems, intrapersonal resources (i.e., coping, emotion regulation, and empathy), and couple functioning (i.e., relationship satisfaction and intimate partner violence victimization) were assessed when their child was 18 months and 4 years of age. Using autoregressive path models, results suggested that greater maternal distress and paternal perceptions of toddler behavior problems predicted later reports of perceived family dysfunction, whereas parental intrapersonal resources predicted more adaptive perceived family functioning. Overall, findings indicate mutual or bidirectional influence within the family, consistent with the family systems principle of reciprocal causality. Clinical implications are discussed, including the need to bolster parents' existing strengths as well as providing prevention and early screening of depressive symptoms among parents. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Rates and Correlates of Intimate Partner Violence Among Indigenous College Students: A Multi-Campus Study.

Research suggests that Indigenous girls, women, and LGBTQ+ Two-Spirit people experience disproportionately high rates of intimate partner violence (IPV), but there is a dearth of research on IPV among Indigenous college students. Therefore, the current study sought to explore rates of IPV victimization and perpetration among Indigenous college students, as well as correlates including depressive and anxious symptoms, emotion dysregulation, on-campus social support, and hazardous drinking. Participants were 230 undergraduate students who identified as American Indian/Alaska Native attending 20 medium- and large-sized universities across the contiguous U.S. Results indicated that 28.9% of Indigenous students reported any type of IPV victimization in the past 6 months (psychological: 24.5%; physical: 9.1%; sexual: 9.8%; coercive control: 12.4%). Further, 18.3% of Indigenous students reported any type of IPV perpetration in the past 6 months (psychological: 16.9%; physical: 4.5%; sexual: 2.6%; coercive control: 7.1%). Anxious and depressive symptoms were related to many forms of IPV victimization; emotion dysregulation was related to all forms of IPV victimization and sexual IPV perpetration; and hazardous drinking was related to most forms of IPV victimization and perpetration. These findings underscore the alarmingly high rates of IPV among Indigenous college students as well as the potential deleterious effects of IPV victimization on psychological functioning, as well as the need to concurrently address hazardous alcohol use in IPV prevention and response efforts.