Intimate Violence Research Articles

Gender beliefs and norms underlying intimate partner violence stigma among women living in Botswana: Results of an exploratory factor analysis.

Gender inequitable beliefs, blaming attitudes, externalised and internalised stigma are commonly recognised barriers for intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors seeking help. However, the measurement of IPV stigma, its associations with inequitable gender beliefs and impacts on survivor disclosure, help-seeking behaviours, and mental health outcomes remain understudied. We explored women's agreement with statements about gendered power dynamics and violence in intimate heterosexual relationships, before identifying and psychometrically testing scales derived for measuring community norms and beliefs underlying stigma to IPV. We used data from a nationally representative sample of 596 women living in Botswana. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) occurred with responses of IPV survivors, and involved items from the Community Ideas about Gender Relations, Community Ideas about Rape, and Gender Equitable Women Scales. For each EFA identified scale, we estimated reliability (McDonald's omega (ω)) and correlation with psychosocial outcomes related to IPV stigma. Among IPV survivors, we also considered whether survivors had disclosed their experience of abuse to others prior to the interview. Some 40.9% (n = 244) of women have experienced physical and/or sexual IPV at least once in their lives. Among them, an EFA of 31 gender beliefs and norms identified three latent variables: community norms about male dominance over female partners (C-MDP) (11 items; ω = 0.86); respondent beliefs about male dominance over female partners (I-MDP) (12 items; ω = 0.83); and survivor blaming attitudes (SBA) for the IPV they experienced (8-items; ω = 0.83). Some 15% of survivors had attempted suicide in the past, 8% had disclosed having suicidal thoughts, 49% were considered at risk for depression, and 18% at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder. Survivors who more strongly endorsed C-MDP appeared more likely to have attempted suicide (p = 0.04), and less likely to have disclosed their IPV experience prior to the study (p = 0.002). Survivors who more strongly endorsed SBA appeared more likely to have had suicidal thoughts (p = 0.02) and greater post-traumatic stress symptoms (p = 0.06). C-MDP, I-MDP and SBA appear related to psychosocial and disclosure outcomes. Gendered social norms may play an important role in understanding how survivors experience IPV stigma. We recommend further research into culture-informed practices that act to socialise such norms.

Unhealthy Alcohol Use is Associated With Past Experiences of Intimate Partner Sexual Violence and Current Immune Activation Among Kenyan Women Engaged in Sex Work

Unhealthy Alcohol Use is Associated With Past Experiences of Intimate Partner Sexual Violence and Current Immune Activation Among Kenyan Women Engaged in Sex Work

Using Routine Activity Theory to Predict Technology- Facilitated Violence Among U.S. Adults During COVID-19.

Using routine activity theory (RAT), the present study investigated predictors of two types of technology-facilitated violence: cyber obsessional pursuit victimization (COPV) and Cyber Aggression in Relationships Scale (CARS), during COVID-19 among a sample of U.S. adults (N = 2,975). Results revealed that target attractiveness in terms of gender, age, and racial/ethnic background predicted both intimate (CARS) and nonintimate (COPV) cyber violence. For target exposure, technology use and the perceived ability to protect one's privacy predicted both types of cyber violence. Previous experience of in-person intimate partner violence explained the largest amount of variance in both types of technology-facilitated violence victimization.

The psychometric properties of a new scale of dehumanizing deindividuation in couples.

Emerging research indicates that dehumanization may occur in couples with serious consequences; however, this research is in its infancy, and there is a need to integrate dehumanization perspectives with key theories of intimate relationships to best understand this phenomenon. Drawing on work on individuation in couples, we present an integrated framework of dehumanizing deindividuation that is characterized by derogation (viewing a partner with contempt), disregard (ignoring or overlooking a partner), and denial of autonomy (restricting a partner's self-determination). We present data from two samples highlighting the reliability and validity of a new measure, the Dehumanizing Deindividuation in Couples (DDC) scale, which was internally consistent and had excellent construct replicability. Enacted and received versions of the scale were highly correlated, suggesting that dehumanizing deindividuation may be reciprocal in nature. The DDC scale converged with other couple dehumanization and individuation measures but was distinct and demonstrated incremental utility in explaining key relational outcomes. The DDC also demonstrated excellent convergent validity with other measures of intimate relationship functioning (i.e., emotional intimacy, support, sexual quality, affective communication, problem solving) and uniquely predicted key relational outcomes (i.e., global satisfaction and intimate partner violence). Results also suggest that the active process of deindividuating one's partner (e.g., acting superior to partner, ignoring partner, nagging partner) poses unique and significant risk for relationship discord and violence beyond a general lack of individuation (e.g., not praising partner's strengths or asking for their opinions). The DDC could prove a valuable tool for future research on dehumanizing deindividuation in couples. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

A study of psychological violence in intimate partner relationships among university students: a mixed-methods research

The aim of this study is to examine university students’ attitudes and experiences regarding psychological violence in intimate partner relationships in the context of attachment styles, gender roles, and parasocial interactions. In this study, a mixed-methods research design, specifically the explanatory sequential design, was employed. In the quantitative phase, the attitudes of 508 university student participants towards dating violence were examined with structural equation modeling in terms of attachment styles, parasocial interaction levels and gender roles perceptions. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 university students who had experienced psychological violence in their romantic relationships, and the interviews were analyzed with the interpretive phenomenological analysis method. According to the conducted structural equation model, anxious attachment and avoidant attachment predict attitudes towards female psychological dating violence, while anxious attachment predicts attitudes towards male psychological dating violence. In the qualitative phase, the analysis revealed four main themes concerning perceptions of attachment styles: self, attitudes in relationships, evaluation tendencies in relationships, and relationship maintenance styles. Regarding perceptions of gender roles, two main themes emerged: gender equality and relationship roles. Media interactions yielded three main themes: interaction engagement, social learning effects, and the role of media within relationships. Lastly, perceptions of romantic relationship experiences were organized into four main themes: relationship encounters, relationship expectations, relationship issues, and dating violence. The findings suggest that people’s attachment styles, gender roles and interactions with different media channels are effective in their attitudes and experiences towards psychological violence in dating. The results emphasize that personal and social patterns are important in attitudes towards dating violence and that further studies on this subject should be increased.

Examining the mental health consequences of childhood sexual abuse and intimate partner sexual violence in China: a brief review

Examining the mental health consequences of childhood sexual abuse and intimate partner sexual violence in China: a brief review

The impact of online brain-spotting therapy on brain metabolism and PTSD symptoms of intimate sexual violence victims: a single case study

The impact of online brain-spotting therapy on brain metabolism and PTSD symptoms of intimate sexual violence victims: a single case study

Heterosexual Partner Sexual Violence: Identifying Women Victims Through Questions on Sexual Coercion.

Intimate partner sexual violence is a serious problem and difficult to detect, often due to beliefs, myths and gender stereotypes. This study analyzes whether women identify this violence better through direct questions about sexual coercion, using the Semi-structured Interview for the Exploration of Intimate Partner Sexual Violence (EVS), which examines the characteristics and circumstances of these situations. A total of 110 women participated, divided into two groups: 80 who sought help at a center for victims of intimate partner violence and have therefore overcome common barriers to asking for help, and 30 who attended a counseling center during divorce proceedings, without having reported any form of violence. The results show that, among the women who sought help at a center for intimate partner violence and recognized having suffered sexual coercion in the EVS interview, half had already previously identified sexual violence, generally linked to physical assault, hitting furniture or shouting. The other half only identified sexual violence after being asked directly if they had been sexually coerced by their partner. In these cases, the types of coercion were threats or blackmail, without physical aggression. In the group of women in the process of divorce, one-third acknowledged having been also forced into sexual activities through subtle coercion, without physical violence. All women explicitly rejected forced sexual activities, but some participated passively or actively under duress, leading them to doubt whether these experiences were considered sexual violence. The study concludes that many women only acknowledge sexual violence when asked directly if they were forced by their partner, given that coercion without explicit aggression and participation under pressure make it difficult to identify it as violence. These findings underline the importance of asking specific questions to detect sexual violence, especially when coercion is not evident.

THE IMPACT OF ROMANTIC LOVE MYTHS ON CYBER DATING VIOLENCE VICTIMIZATION AMONG EMERGING ADULTS IN RELATIONSHIPS

The development of social frameworks related to romantic love myths raises concerns about the acceptance of violence in relationships. This study aims to examine the influence of romantic love myths on cyber dating violence among early adults in relationships. A quantitative method was employed with a sample of 600 early adult participants, selected through purposive sampling based on the criteria of being 18–25 years old and having been or currently being in a relationship. The study used the Spearman’s rho rank test, which found that romantic love myths affect cyber dating violence in the control/monitoring dimension, with an R Square of 0.065 (6.5%) and a significance level of 0.000 (p < 0.05). These results quantitatively indicate that romantic love myths can increase cyber dating violence related to control/monitoring behaviors in early adults who are in relationships

Intersectionality of Gender and Age as an Analytical Framework for Understanding Intimate Partner Violence Against Older Women in Colombia

This research article aims to address the critical gap in understanding intimate partner violence (IPV) among older women, particularly those over 60 years of age, in Colombian society. The study explores how IPV manifests during the later stages of life, providing insights specific to this age group. The research used qualitative methodology with 14 urban women who had experienced intimate partner violence in their later life. The study revealed that psychological violence was the most common type of abuse among our sample, followed by economic violence. Conversely, physical and sexual violence was found to decrease in frequency in the day-to-day life of the participants. The research also highlighted deteriorating health, limited emotional and instrumental support, and traditional gender roles as key factors influencing experiences of violence in intimate relationships during this stage of life.

Validation of the Slovenian Intimate Violence and Traumatic Affect Scale (S-VITA).

This study addresses the scarcity of quantitative tools for assessing the mental health consequences of intimate partner violence on women, focusing on validating the Slovenian translation of the Intimate Violence and Traumatic Affect Scale (S-VITA). Using an online cross-sectional design, we surveyed a representative sample of 1,016 Slovenian women, with 275 experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). Confirmatory factor analysis, performed on the IPV subsample, supported the proposed four-factor model (Fear, Terror, Guilt, and Shame) with strong internal consistency. The scale demonstrated robust construct and divergent, convergent, and cross-cultural validity. With compelling psychometric properties, we recommend its adoption by Slovenian professionals and researchers, suggesting its applicability in diverse linguistic contexts.

Cognitive Distortions and Decision-Making in Women Victims of Intimate Partner Violence: A Scoping Review.

Objective: Exposing women to intimate partner violence (IPV) poses a risk to their physical and mental health, necessitating that they leave the relationship. However, women face various obstacles in doing so, such as cognitive distortions that affect their interpretation of the reality of violence, trapping them and significantly influencing their decision to leave. This scoping review explores, synthesizes, and analyzes the available evidence on the relationship between cognitive distortions and decision-making among women involved in IPV. Method: A systematic search was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines, utilizing the Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest databases. A total of 12 studies (five qualitative, four quantitative, and three mixed methodology) were included according to the inclusion criteria. Results: Self-blame, low attribution of responsibility to the aggressor, minimization of violence or damage, normalization of IPV, denial/loss of self, denial injury, control perceived, hope of change, savior beliefs, "should" belief in the relationship, focus on positive aspects of the relationship or aggressor, and denial other emotional options besides the partner were the main cognitive distortions found in women victims of IPV and related to maintaining IPV. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of recognizing and addressing cognitive distortions in women, which is crucial in preventing them from becoming trapped in violent relationships. Future research should continue to investigate the role of cognitive distortions in women's decision-making regarding IPV, as well as the consequences of leaving the aggressor for them.

친밀한 관계 폭력 피해의 위험요인과 보호요인 분석

After discussing the concept of intimate partner violence (IPV) abroad and applying it to domestic violence and relationship violence in domestic partnerships and marriages, we wanted to analyze the risk and protective factors of IPV victimization through empirical research. To do so, we analyzed secondary data from the 2022 Domestic Violence Survey Study conducted by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. We examined the experience of each of the five types of intimate relationship violence: physical, sexual, emotional, economic, and control, and found that control was the most common (23.9%), followed by emotional violence (5.3%), sexual violence (2.7%), and physical violence (1.3%). Finally, we conducted a logistic hierarchical regression analysis with intimate partner violence victimization as the dependent variable. The results showed that gender, age, and education were influential factors in the control variables, and the risk factors of childhood abuse experience, gender role attitudes, and domestic violence tolerance had a significant effect on intimate partner violence victimization. In terms of protective factors, awareness of laws or systems related to intimate partner violence had a significant impact on intimate partner violence. This study provides evidence to support the need for individual, social, and institutional approaches to reduce the harm of intimate partner violence, and it is expected that the elimination of early risk factors such as childhood abuse and the strengthening of legal or institutional protections will be used as the basis for future violence prevention strategies.

Risk Factors for Violence in Adult Heterosexual Noncasual Relationships: An Overview of Reviews

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a widespread social, public health, and human rights problem. Empirical investigation of IPV risk factors can promote evidence-based assessment tools and effective prevention and intervention. This overview is a pioneering synthesis of systematic reviews (SRs) of IPV risk factors. Systematic searches for SRs in English reporting a meta-analysis of IPV risk factors in adult heterosexual, non-casual relationships published between January 2011 and June 2021 were conducted in four bibliographic databases: Medline via EBSCO, CINAHL Plus, Scopus, and APA PsycInfo. This search strategy identified 1,027 unique records. Supplementary manual search methods were completed in July 2023. Overall, 17 SRs utilizing a meta-analytic approach to investigate IPV risk factors published between 2012 and 2022 were included in the overview. Risk factors were organized into five key categories: demographic, individual, family of origin, relationship, and social. Overall, 73 unique risk factors relating to perpetrators and 61 relating to victims were identified in the SRs. Just 50 of the 119 coefficients relating to IPV perpetration were reported, by any SR, as statistically significant and of moderate or strong predictive power; and 39 of these 50 factors related to previous IPV. Only 26 of the 147 coefficients relating to IPV victimization were both statistically significant and of moderate or strong predictive power, the majority of which (15) were in the relationship violence grouping of risk factors. The evidence suggests a randomness to IPV. This body of evidence provides some limited direction for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers.

Experienced Versus Perpetrated Intimate Partner Violence and Psychological Maladjustment: The Role of Adaptive and Avoidant Coping.

The present questionnaire study explores the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV), coping strategies, and psychological maladjustment for both female and male college students, as well as considering the effects of perpetrated IPV. College students are at risk for experiencing and perpetrating IPV, and coping skills may act as important risk and protective factors. In total, 333 (247 women, 86 men) undergraduate college students completed an online survey for research participation credit. Perpetrated intimate partner verbal aggression and experienced and perpetrated relationship violence were significantly correlated with somatization and depression, while for women, perpetrated verbal aggression was significantly correlated with somatization, depression, anxiety, and eating disorder symptoms. Experienced verbal aggression was significantly correlated with depression for women, while perpetrated verbal aggression was significantly correlated with anxiety for men. Path analyses with bootstrapped mediation tests found that, for men, the relationships between experienced violence and somatization and depression were significantly mediated by avoidant coping, while for women, the relationships between perpetrated verbal aggression and somatization, depression, anxiety, and eating disorder symptoms were significantly mediated by avoidant coping. Findings suggest that, particularly for women, the use of avoidant coping behaviors may exacerbate cycles of victimization by and perpetration of IPV that, in turn, lead to greater psychological distress. The present findings suggest that interventions to reduce IPV should put greater emphasis on the teaching of adaptive coping skills in couple relationships to help reduce the impulse to perpetrate violence, on top of coping skills to deal with experienced violence.

Social Beliefs and Attitudes Involved in the Willingness to Intervene in Cases of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in a Spanish Sample.

Intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) is a public health and social responsibility issue affecting women worldwide. The role of society is essential to help victims to get out of the violent relationship and reduce their risk of revictimization. In this regard, the social response to IPVAW depends to some extent on public beliefs and attitudes toward IPVAW. Hence, this research explores the direct relationship between sexism and the willingness to intervene in cases of IPVAW, indirectly through acceptance of myths of IPVAW, perceived severity of IPVAW, risk assessed of victims' health and life as well as to the establishment of equal relations, attribution of the responsibility to the aggressor, and victim blaming. A Spanish sample of 487 participants was collected through incidental sampling. Participants responded to an online survey that was disseminated via email and social media. A parallel path analysis model showed that greater sexism was associated with lower willingness to intervene in cases IPVAW, via greater acceptance of the myths of IPVAW and less attribution of responsibility to the aggressor. IPVAW perceived severity, risk assessed, and victim blaming did not explain the effect of sexism on willingness to intervene. This research emphasizes the need to focus on egalitarian education that mitigates sociocultural risk factors such as patriarchal beliefs and attitudes that explain IPVAW and favors a climate of acceptance and tolerance of this problem, making it difficult for victims to break with the violent relationship.

“If your relationship is a swamp, your sister is like a hand that pulls you out of it”: Sisterhood as a source of support on relationship issues and dating violence

Informal support systems play a crucial role in navigating romantic relations and coping with dating violence (DV), especially in emerging adulthood. Although research indicates that sisters can be an important source of such support, the question of how they communicate and assist each other on relationship issues and violence remains largely unexplored. The present qualitative study, adopting an ecological systems perspective, investigated what roles sisters play in each other’s dating experiences in Turkiye, a traditional and patriarchal sociocultural context with gradually increasing awareness about DV and gender equality among emerging adults. The sample consisted of 5 sister dyads aged 20–25. Data was collected through dyadic interviews and analyzed with an inductive thematic analysis approach. The dyads’ descriptions were categorized under two main themes: (a) protection from boundary violations and violence and (b) co-regulation and guidance in relationship management. The protective role of sisters entailed reminding each other of healthy boundaries and self-worth, checking for safety and warning signs, and showing solidarity. On the other hand, the regulatory role of sisters involved seeking and giving advice on conflict resolution, accompanying negative emotions, and coping with a breakup together. The findings demonstrate that sisters can become an essential source of support in the context of parental disapproval and limited communication about dating at the microsystem level and changing gender norms and socialization, along with the prevalence of gender-based violence at the macrosystem level. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of effective support processes in sisterhood and informal help-seeking for relationship issues and violence from a contextual and developmental lens. The findings point to the need to expand family-based DV prevention programs exclusively targeting parents.

Exploring the Impact of a No‐Cost, Self‐Directed Self‐Compassion Intervention in Promoting Mental Health, Resilience and Self‐Compassion Among Women in Violent and Non‐Violent Relationships

ABSTRACTLimited access to social services often hinders women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) from seeking support. This mixed‐methods (survey‐ and interview‐based) study investigated the impact of a no‐cost, one‐month, self‐directed self‐compassion intervention on women experiencing IPV compared with women in non‐violent relationships. Among the 28 participants (n = 15 non‐IPV, n = 13 IPV), significant improvements were noted in total self‐compassion scores (F(2,52) = 6.126, p = 0.004, η2p = 0.18), and specific domains such as self‐kindness (F(2,52) = 6.552, p = 0.003, η2p = 0.20) and over‐identification (F(2,52) = 4.251, p = 0.020, η2p = 0.14) over time. Interview findings indicated that women perceived meaningful improvements in their mental health and resilience because of the intervention, with some women in violent relationships reporting that the intervention facilitated leaving the relationship. This intervention demonstrates strong potential as an accessible, effective health promotion intervention for women in violent relationships.

The impact of COVID-19 on campus sexual and relationship violence against LGBTQ+ communities.

The impact of COVID-19 on campus sexual and relationship violence against LGBTQ+ communities.

Associations of stalking victims’ reports on ex-partners’ far-right extremist beliefs and threats of intimate and nonintimate violence.

Associations of stalking victims’ reports on ex-partners’ far-right extremist beliefs and threats of intimate and nonintimate violence.