Women Veterans and Intimate Partner Violence: Current State of Knowledge and Future Directions

Although some children exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) demonstrate resilience, the population-level health consequences of exposure across the lifespan and the related social and economic costs of such exposure are enormous. Using a developmental and social-ecological perspective, this article summarizes the literature examining the effects of IPV exposure on children, reviews key underlying mechanisms, and suggests the use of a public health prevention approach. It presents a discussion of next steps and identification of key challenges. One of the authors, a survivor of child exposure to IPV, presents a vignette that augments key sections and highlights children’s resilience.

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Addressing Intimate Partner Violence Among Women Veterans

Case Medical Research ◽

10.31525/ct1-nct04106193 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Women Veterans ◽

Intimate Partner

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Intimate Partner Violence Victimization Among Women Veterans and Associated Heart Health Risks

Women s Health Issues ◽

10.1016/j.whi.2011.04.008 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. S190-S194 ◽

Cited By ~ 86

Author(s):

Melissa E. Dichter ◽

Catherine Cerulli ◽

Robert M. Bossarte

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Health Risks ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Women Veterans ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Heart Health ◽

Violence Victimization ◽

Intimate Partner Violence Victimization

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An Exploration of How Women Experience the Process of Intimate Partner Violence in Relationships Characterised by Bi-Directional Aggression.

10.26686/wgtn.17126744.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Annette Levine

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Policy Research ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Preventive Action ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Future Directions ◽

Widespread Access ◽

The Relationship

<p>This qualitative study explored how women in New Zealand experienced the process of intimate partner violence in relationships with men, which were characterised by bi-directional aggression. Using thematic analysis, semi-structured interviews with 11 women who experienced bi-directionally aggressive relationships were analysed and four themes were identified that encompassed 1) the foundations of bi-directional aggression; 2) the nature of bi-directional aggression within the relationship; 3) how the women were stuck in the relationship, and; 4) moving forward. The findings indicate how the vulnerabilities to bi-directional aggression can develop from early life and perpetuate and exacerbate over time in the context of the relationship dynamic. This highlights the need to implement preventive action to support adaptive self-regulation development in young people and families, provide education about bi-directional aggression and widespread access to support and treatment resources for all genders. Further implications and future directions for policy, research and practice regarding bi-directional aggression are discussed.</p>

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Recent Intimate Partner Violence and Housing Instability Among Women Veterans

American Journal of Preventive Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.amepre.2018.01.020 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 54 (4) ◽

pp. 584-590 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Ann Elizabeth Montgomery ◽

Anneliese E. Sorrentino ◽

Meagan C. Cusack ◽

Scarlett L. Bellamy ◽

Elina Medvedeva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Women Veterans ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Housing Instability

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Capsule Commentary on Kimerling et al., Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence among Women Veterans who Utilize Veterans Health Administration Primary Care

Journal of General Internal Medicine ◽

10.1007/s11606-016-3743-x ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 31 (8) ◽

pp. 928-928

Author(s):

Holly N. Thomas

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Women Veterans ◽

Veterans Health Administration ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Veterans Health ◽

Health Administration

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Use and Experience of Recent Intimate Partner Violence Among Women Veterans Who Deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan

Partner Abuse ◽

10.1891/1946-6560.8.3.251 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 251-271 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Suzannah K. Creech ◽

Alexandra Macdonald ◽

Casey Taft

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Relationship Satisfaction ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Women Veterans ◽

Intimate Relationship ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Relationship Functioning ◽

Significant Variance ◽

The Past

Background: Women veterans may be at high risk for intimate partner violence (IPV), which increases susceptibility for negative physical and mental health. IPV experiences and use have not previously been studied among the newest generation of women veterans who deployed to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Method: This study examined the correlates of IPV in a sample of 102 women veterans who had deployed to the conflicts in Iraq or Afghanistan and who were in current intimate relationships. Using an anonymous web-based survey, participants completed measures of combat and sexual harassment exposure during deployment, measures of mental health and substance abuse, intimate relationship satisfaction, and recent IPV. Results: Results indicated that 63% of the sample reported experiencing any IPV in the past 6 months, whereas 73% reported using IPV toward their partner in the past 6 months. Linear regressions indicated intimate relationship satisfaction explained significant variance in recent psychological IPV, whereas alcohol misuse and recent psychological IPV experiences explained significant variance in physical IPV experiences and use and sexual IPV experiences. Conclusion: Women veterans in this study reported high levels of recent IPV experiences as well as the use of IPV. Results suggest the need to assess for both IPV use and IPV experiences in medical settings, and that for some women veterans, IPV prevention that focuses on healthy relationship functioning may be beneficial.

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Adapting Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Target Intimate Partner Violence

Partner Abuse ◽

10.1891/pa-2020-0028 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 447-465

Author(s):

Kathleen W. Reardon ◽

Erika Lawrence ◽

Callie Mazurek

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Empirical Studies ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Targeted Intervention ◽

Future Directions ◽

Commitment Therapy ◽

Acceptance And Commitment ◽

Initial Support

Interventions for men who perpetrate intimate partner violence (IPV) have historically been relatively ineffective at reducing or stopping subsequent IPV. However, there are several strong theoretical reasons that suggest Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), an intervention that emphasizes the use of mindfulness and aims to foster psychological flexibility, may be particularly well-suited to interrupting the factors that maintain IPV. The goal of the present article is to review the evidence for the application of ACT to target IPV. In addition, empirical studies that have, to date, shown promising initial support for a targeted intervention (Achieving Change Through Values-Based Behavior; ACTV) are reviewed. The implications for using ACT-based skills with perpetrators of IPV are discussed, along with potential future directions and further applications of ACT to hard-to-treat populations.

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Predicting Forgiveness in Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence

Violence Against Women ◽

10.1177/1077801216644071 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 23 (4) ◽

pp. 452-468 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Sarah E. Gilbert ◽

Kristina C. Gordon

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Future Directions ◽

Intent To Return ◽

Abusive Partners

A recent study found that women’s intent to return to abusive partners is related to their forgiveness of the abuse; however, few studies have identified predictors of forgiveness in this population. Consequently, this study aims to identify factors related to forgiveness of intimate partner violence (IPV). It was hypothesized that commitment would predict forgiveness and that minimization of aggression would mediate this relation, as women may be more likely to minimize the severity of the IPV to reduce the dissonance that arises from being committed to unhealthy relationships. Results generally supported hypotheses and findings; limitations and future directions are discussed.

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