Search Results (546)

While IPV is often studied as a predictor of housing insecurity, few U.S. studies explore how different forms of housing instability may contribute to intimate partner violence (IPV) risk. Using a mixed-methods approach and a cross-sectional design, this study examined the association between four housing instability domains and IPV among a sample of tenants that had either experienced eviction or were at high risk for eviction. Tenants in Harris and Travis counties (Texas, USA) completed an online survey (n = 1085; March–July 2024). Housing instability was assessed across four domains: homelessness, lease violations, utility hardship, and poor housing quality. IPV was measured using the Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream Screener. Covariate-adjusted logistic regression models suggest indicators within the four housing instability domains were associated with IPV risk. Within the homelessness domain, experiences with lifetime homelessness (AOR = 1.92, 95%CI 1.61–2.28), in the past 12 months living in unconventional spaces (AOR = 2.10, 95%CI 1.92–2.29), and moving in with others (AOR = 1.20, 95%CI 1.06–1.36) were associated with IPV. Within the lease violations domain, missed rent payments (AOR = 1.69, 95%CI 1.68–1.71) and non-payment lease violations (AOR = 2.50, 95%CI 2.29–2.73) in the past 12 months were associated with IPV. Utility shutoffs (AOR = 1.62, 95%CI 1.37–1.91) and unsafe housing (AOR = 1.65, 95%CI 1.31–2.09) in the past 12 months were associated with IPV. Homelessness, housing-related economic hardships and substandard living conditions predict an elevated risk of IPV. Full article

Despite extensive prevention strategies in Spain since the 1980s, gender-based violence, including among adolescents, remains prevalent, as observed in the Romance SUCC-ED Project (R&D&I Operating Programme ERDF Andalusia 2014–2020). This research study investigates the dimensions, meanings, relationships, and practices shaping the culture of romance in digital Andalusian adolescence (12–16 years) and its potential impact on school trajectories in Compulsory Secondary Education. Based on the premise that equality-focused relationship education is key to preventing gender violence, the study employs an ethnographic methodology with 12 Andalusian school case studies (4 out of them are located in rural areas) and 220 in-depth interviews (126 girls, 57.3%; 94 boys, 42.7%). This article aims to empirically explain gender violence in early adolescence by analysing the culture of romance as an explanatory factor. Findings reveal an interconnected model where dimensions (love, couple, sexuality, pornography, social networks, and cultural references), meanings (constructed by adolescents within each of them), relationships (partner), and practices (control and jealousy) reinforce romanticised femininity and dominant masculinity, thus explaining the high incidence of gender-based violence among students in the study. Full article

This study examines how U.S. immigration policies enact legal violence and multigenerational punishment through the spousal reunification process, particularly in mixed-status, transnational families. Building on the concept of “deportability,” we introduce “importability” to describe a beneficiary’s potential to secure permanent residency, which varies according to social markers such as race, gender, and region of origin. Drawing from a content analysis of threads on the Immigration Pathways (IP) web forum, we analyze discussions among U.S. citizen petitioners navigating marriage-based green card applications, with a focus on experiences involving administrative processing (AP) (i.e., marriage fraud investigations). Our findings show that couples who do not align with the state’s conception of “proper” family—particularly U.S. citizen women petitioning for Black African partners—face intensified scrutiny, long delays, and burdensome requirements, including DNA tests and surveillance. These bureaucratic obstacles produce prolonged family separation, financial strain, and diminished sense of belonging, especially for children in single-parent households. Through the lens of “importability,” we reveal how legal violence and multigenerational punishment of immigration policies on mixed-status families beyond deportation threats, functioning as a gatekeeping mechanism that disproportionately affects marginalized families. This research highlights the understudied consequences of immigration policies on citizen petitioners and contributes to a broader understanding of inequality in U.S. immigration enforcement. Full article

A vast majority of survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) experience economic abuse, including but not limited to, employment sabotage. The purpose of this study is to further understand IPV by testing a technology-inclusive abuser-initiated workplace disruption measurement in an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) so that future researchers can better examine and address economic abuse. Using a sample of survivors (N = 312) employed in the nursing profession in the United States, who may be uniquely impacted by technology, we used complete data to examine experiences of abuser-initiated workplace disruptions, including those that utilized cellphones (e.g., excessive texting, harassment of coworkers, preventing educational advancement). The results revealed a two-factor structure: one containing a variety of direct and indirect workplace disruptions relevant to the nursing profession (73% of variance) and a second containing only cell-phone related harassment (9% of variance). Implications for healthcare employers seeking to protect employees from IPV, as well as policymakers, are included. Full article

This study investigates how demographic characteristics, severity of intimate partner violence (IPV), social support, gender equality awareness, and demographic factors (e.g., living with children at home) influence help-seeking behaviors among 2527 IPV-experienced women in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. Drawing on the help-seeking model and conservation of resource theory, the study distinguishes between formal (e.g., police, legal aid) and informal (e.g., family, friends) help-seeking. Logistic regression results reveal that greater violence severity, stronger perceived social support, and higher gender equality awareness significantly increase both formal and informal help-seeking. Notably, living with children is associated with a higher likelihood of seeking formal help, possibly due to increased concerns for children’s safety and the desire to change the abusive environment. While help-seeking behavior is on the rise overall, particularly among women with strong support networks and progressive gender attitudes, structural and cultural barriers remain. The findings underscore the need to improve public education, reduce stigma, and enhance accessibility of support systems. This study contributes to the growing literature on IPV in China and provides evidence for refining policy interventions and service delivery. Full article

Background: Teen dating violence (TDV) is a serious public health concern, with sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) at elevated risk due to minority stress and systemic inequalities. This systematic review examines individual, relational, and contextual risk factors for TDV among SGMY. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, and APA PsycInfo on 10 December 2024. Studies published between 2014 and 2024 focusing on teen dating violence (TDV) as an outcome among sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) aged 13–19 were included. Study selection was independently performed by multiple reviewers using Rayyan. Risk of bias was assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Tools. Due to heterogeneity in the study design and measurement tools, a narrative synthesis was conducted. Results: Six risk domains emerged: (1) Demographic/Identity (e.g., gender, orientation, or race); (2) Psychological/Behavioral (e.g., distress or substance use); (3) Violence/Bullying (e.g., cyberbullying or exclusion); (4) Family/Sexual Abuse (e.g., family rejection); (5) Relational/Social (e.g., partner outing); and (6) School/Community (e.g., non-inclusive environments). Bisexual, pansexual, transgender, and racialized youth showed heightened vulnerability. Most studies were conducted in the USA and relied on non-validated TDV measures and cross-sectional designs, limiting comparability and causal inference. Conclusions: SGMY face unique, often overlooked TDV risks. There is a need for intersectional, longitudinal research and inclusive, developmentally appropriate prevention efforts that address both relational and structural factors. This review received no external funding and was not registered. Full article

This study introduces and validates a novel instrument to measure aggressive gender backlash (AGB), a distinct and underexplored dimension of gender backlash (GB) within intimate partner relationships. Based on the General Aggression Model, a multidimensional scale was developed and tested using data from 513 Peruvian female microentrepreneurs. Results demonstrate solid evidence of reliability, discriminant validity, and predictive validity across five dimensions: hostility, the withdrawal of support, sabotage/coercion, gender stereotyping, and masculine victimization. The findings reveal that AGB is more prevalent than intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) and often precedes it. AGB encompasses covert, non-violent behaviors that aim to resist female empowerment, such as emotional sabotage, manipulation, and disqualification, often normalized within relationships. This construct is significantly associated with lower levels of empowerment, increased subordination, emotional morbidity, and decreased work productivity. This study redefines GB as an interpersonal process measurable at the individual level and provides the first validated tool for its assessment. By conceptualizing AGB as a persistent, harmful, and functionally equivalent mechanism to IPVAW, though not necessarily physically violent, this research fills a key gap in gender violence literature. It offers practical implications for early detection and prevention strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Deficits in emotion recognition abilities have been described as risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration. However, much of this research is based on self-reports or instruments that present limited psychometric properties. While current scientific literature supports the use of eye tracking to assess cognitive and emotional processes, including emotional decoding abilities, there is a gap in the scientific literature when it comes to measuring these processes in IPV perpetrators using eye tracking in an emotional decoding task. Hence, the aim of this study was to examine the association between fixation times via eye tracking and emotional decoding abilities in IPV perpetrators, controlling for potential confounding variables. Methods: To this end, an emotion recognition task was created using an eye tracker in a group of 52 IPV perpetrators. This task consisted of 20 images with people expressing different emotions. For each picture, the facial region was selected as an area of interest (AOI). The fixation times were added to obtain a total gaze fixation time score. Additionally, an ad hoc emotional decoding multiple-choice test about each picture was developed. These instruments were complemented with other self-reports previously designed to measure emotion decoding abilities. Results: The results showed that the longer the total fixation times on the AOI, the better the emotional decoding abilities in IPV perpetrators. Specifically, fixation times explained 20% of the variance in emotional decoding test scores. Additionally, our ad hoc emotional decoding test was significantly correlated with previously designed emotion recognition tools and showed similar reliability to the eyes test. Conclusions: Overall, this pilot study highlights the importance of including eye movement signals to explore attentional processes involved in emotion recognition abilities in IPV perpetrators. This would allow us to adequately specify the therapeutic needs of IPV perpetrators to improve current interventions. Full article

This article thoroughly examines the multidimensional consequences of intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) and estimates the monetary costs associated with this kind of violence in Spain for 2022. Based on the accounting model approach, three alternative scenarios are proposed to quantify the direct tangible costs of IPVAW from a microeconomic perspective. Each scenario considers the out-of-pocket expenditures and the opportunity cost of lost income due to IPVAW, borne by the survivor women, their families and relatives, the public sector, and the private organizations. The study utilizes microdata from the latest Spanish Macro-survey on Violence Against Women, conducted in 2019 by the Government Office against Gender-Based Violence (Spanish Government). Results show the costs ranging from EUR 1.38 billion (the most conservative estimate) to EUR 3.01 billion (the highest estimate). Further research is needed to deepen understanding of the mechanisms by which violence affects the various domains and agents of society. Full article

Temperature increases due to climatic changes have been increasingly recognized as posing significant public health challenges, with wide-ranging socio-economic implications. This scoping review examines the relationship between high temperatures and violence against women (VAW) globally. Nine studies from both high-income and low- and middle-income countries were included in this review. The findings suggest an overall positive association between high temperatures and rates of VAW. Theoretical frameworks, including the temperature–aggression hypothesis and routine activity theory, offer insights into the mechanisms driving this relationship. Key risk factors such as socioeconomic status, urban heat island effects, rurality, patriarchal norms, and alcohol consumption were considered to be risk factors affecting rates of VAW. Despite growing evidence, research gaps persist, particularly in regions with high rates of VAW and in the form of qualitative studies that capture women’s lived experiences. The positive associations between temperature and VAW underscore the urgency of integrating gender-sensitive strategies into climate adaptation policies to mitigate the compounding risks of climate change and gender-based violence. Full article

Background: Black sexual minority men (BSMM) are disproportionately affected by HIV incidence and have lower rates of HIV care engagement (e.g., retention in care, viral suppression), particularly in the US South. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated co-occurring psychosocial syndemic factors (e.g., depression, violence, substance use) that disproportionately impact BSMM living with HIV (BSMM+), but the impact of the pandemic on HIV care engagement among BSMM+ in the US South has not been explored in depth. Methods: BSMM+ (n = 27) were recruited from a longitudinal cohort in Dallas and Houston, Texas. Participants with less-than-optimal HIV care engagement, previous experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV), and prevalence of self-reported substance use were purposively selected for in-depth interviews from June 2022 to August 2023. Interviews lasted 54 min on average and were audio-recorded, transcribed, and de-identified before applying a thematic analysis approach. Results: Over half of participants experienced a relationship with IPV, used illicit substances in the past 60 days, and were depressed. Interviews highlighted that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, heightened levels of depression, substance use, and IPV individually and synergistically inhibited ART adherence and HIV care engagement. Participants described how IPV served to worsen their mental health and substance use, which, in turn, were the core drivers of poor HIV care engagement. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the syndemics of IPV, mental health, and substance use, and these acted as barriers to HIV care engagement. Future adherence interventions should synergistically address syndemic factors to maximize effectiveness. Full article

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a widespread issue with severe consequences for women’s well-being. This scoping review synthesizes research on coping strategies among female IPV survivors, evaluates measurement approaches, and assesses the applicability of the 11 families of coping framework. Analyzing 27 studies (2017–2022) from the Scopus database, we identified key coping patterns. In response to the first research question, the review revealed methodological diversity, with qualitative interviews predominating (55.56% of studies) alongside quantitative measures such as the Brief-COPE and IPV Strategies Index. All documented coping strategies were successfully categorized using Skinner’s framework, demonstrating its comprehensive utility for IPV research. This complete categorization directly answers our second research question, confirming the framework’s effectiveness for classifying IPV coping strategies. By using this framework, we identified key coping patterns, with seeking social support emerging as the most prevalent strategy (88.89% of studies), followed by escape–avoidance (55.56%) and problem-solving (44.44%). The findings underscore the value of adopting a standardized classification system to enhance consistency across studies and improve comparative analyses. The study contributes to theoretical development by validating Skinner’s model in IPV contexts and offers practical guidance for future research design. By demonstrating the universal applicability of the 11 families of coping, this scoping review provides a foundation for systematic investigations of coping mechanisms and informs targeted support interventions for survivors. Full article

Domestic violence is a public health problem that has important consequences for the physical, mental and social well-being of individuals and their families, leading to negative effects on future generations, which are exacerbated or inhibited by individual, social and cultural factors. This qualitative study aimed to explore the intergenerational transmission of domestic violence in Peruvian families. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with an adolescent, a mother and a grandfather from nine families. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. The analysis revealed the importance of traditional gender norms, machismo and marianismo, in intergenerational transmission. Other important subthemes in maintenance were irritability, social learning, alcohol consumption and economic dependence. On the other hand, support networks, overcoming trauma, knowing how to choose a partner, education and separation were subthemes identified as protective factors and, finally, religious beliefs were associated with contradictory effects, since they can perpetuate violence or serve as a protective factor against violence. The implications of these findings are discussed and a proposal based on the socioecological model of domestic violence is elaborated, covering the four levels: individual, relationship, community and societal. Full article

The acceptance of myths about intimate partner violence against women by university students can lead to inappropriate and biased professional interventions due to their gender blindness. The aim of this study is to analyze the acceptance of myths about IPVAW among college students, considering differences by gender and degree course. To do this, we conducted a survey with 1531 first-year college students (55.8% women; mean age 18.89 years) and found that a third of the students did not reject the IPVAW myths and a third of them normalized violence. We also found a higher level of acceptance of violence minimization myths in men than in women, especially in Social Sciences and Engineering. The study reveals the need to educate future professionals about IPVAW myths, with an emphasis on minimization and normalization of violence. It also provides useful information for designing awareness programs. Full article

Drawing from the insights of community partners, this study explored the roles and benefits of arts-based approaches to foster civic learning, critical media literacy, and community engagement. It also uncovered approaches to promote kindness, prevent violence, and combat online extremism, offering insights into strategies that may enhance community engagement and create a positive impact. We presented our model framework, a detailed case study of our project, and qualitative methods incorporating 15 interviews with our community partners to capture a broad range of perspectives and experiences. Interviewees were community partners who collaborated with our project in organizing events and activities using an arts-based approach to promote kindness, awareness, and violence prevention since the inception of the project. Data were analyzed using thematic data analysis. We categorized the community partners’ responses into four key themes: (1) the inherent benefits of the arts, (2) promoting kindness and preventing violence through artistic expression, (3) teaching civic responsibility through the arts, and (4) practical strategies for collaborating with community partners. The practice implications and lessons learned were discussed. Full article