Physical Injury From Intimate Partner Violence: Measurement Strategies and Challenges

Abstract Background Research concerning the causes and consequences of intimate partner violence (IPV), particularly in less developed areas of the world, has become prominent in the last two decades. Although a number of potential causal factors have been investigated the current consensus is that attitudes toward IPV on the individual level, likely representing perceptions of normative behavior, and the normative acceptability of IPV on the aggregate level likely play key roles. Measurement of both is generally approached through either binary indicators of acceptability of any type of IPV or additive composite indexes of multiple indicators. Both strategies imply untested assumptions which potentially have important implications for both research into the causes and consequences of IPV as well as interventions aimed to reduce its prevalence. Methods Using survey data from rural Senegal collected in 2014, this analysis estimates latent class measurement models of attitudes concerning the acceptability of IPV. We investigate the dimensional structure of IPV ideation and test the parallel indicator assumption implicit in common measurement strategies, as well as structural and measurement invariance between men and women. Results We find that a two-class model of the acceptability of IPV in which the conditional probability of class membership is allowed to vary between the sexes is preferred for both men and women. Though the assumption of structural invariance between men and women is supported, measurement invariance and the assumption of parallel indicators (or equivalence of indicators used) are not. Conclusions Measurement strategies conventionally used to operationalize the acceptability of IPV, key to modeling perceptions of norms around IPV, are a poor fit to the data used here. Research concerning the measurement characteristics of IPV acceptability is a precondition for adequate investigation of its causes and consequences, as well as for intervention efforts aimed at reducing or eliminating IPV.

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Pattern of Physical Injury Associated with Intimate Partner Violence in Women Presenting to the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Trauma Violence & Abuse ◽

10.1177/1524838010367503 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 71-82 ◽

Cited By ~ 79

Author(s):

Victor Wu ◽

Harold Huff ◽

Mohit Bhandari

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Emergency Department ◽

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Physical Injury

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Measurement and Correlates of Intimate Partner Violence Among Expectant First-Time Parents

Violence and Victims ◽

10.1891/0886-6708.25.3.319 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 319-331 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Marni L. Kan ◽

Mark E. Feinberg

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Transition To Parenthood ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Community Sample ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

First Child ◽

Expectant Mothers ◽

Measurement Strategies ◽

First Time

Research on the implications of varying measurement strategies for estimating levels and correlates of intimate partner violence (IPV) has been limited. This study explored measurement and correlates of IPV using a community sample of 168 couples who were expecting their first child. In line with prior research, couple agreement regarding the presence of violence was low, and maximum reported estimates revealed substantial IPV perpetrated by both expectant mothers and fathers. Different types of IPV scores predicted unique variance in mental health problems and couple relationship distress among both the whole sample and the subsamples who perpetrated any violence. Discussion focuses on the methodological and substantive implications of these findings for the study of IPV during the transition to parenthood.

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Intimate Partner Violence Among Same-Sex Couples in College: A Propensity Score Analysis

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260516651628 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 34 (8) ◽

pp. 1583-1610 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Laurie M. Graham ◽

Todd M. Jensen ◽

Ashley D. Givens ◽

Gary L. Bowen ◽

Cynthia F. Rizo

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Propensity Score ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Physical Injury ◽

Same Sex ◽

Propensity Score Weighting ◽

Same Sex Couples ◽

Confounding Variables

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive social issue with numerous detrimental effects on individuals, families, and society. Existing research and a social-ecological minority stress framework suggest, as compared with mixed-sex couples, those in same-sex relationships may be at heightened risk for perpetrating and experiencing IPV. Using a U.S. sample of college students ( N = 4,081), this secondary data analysis contrasted the prevalence of five forms of IPV (i.e., physical, sexual, psychological, injury, any type) between those in mixed-sex ( n = 3,960) and those in same-sex ( n = 121) intimate partnerships. Comparative analyses were supplemented with propensity score weighting to help balance members of mixed-sex and same-sex relationships across eight potentially confounding variables (e.g., biological sex, age). Prior to the application of propensity score weighting, results suggested those in same-sex relationships are significantly more likely to perpetrate and/or experience IPV resulting in physical injury. Results from post-weighting analyses retained the significance and magnitude of model estimates. Taken together, results suggest, as compared with mixed-sex couples, U.S. college students in same-sex couples have greater odds of experiencing IPV perpetration and victimization resulting in physical injury, even after accounting for the influence of several potentially confounding variables. Findings support the utility and future application of propensity score analytic techniques in this type of research as well as the importance of recognizing the unique IPV risk and service needs of people in same-sex relationships.

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