Intimate Partner Violence Experiences of Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents and Young Adults Assigned Female at Birth

Sexual and gender minority youth, especially those assigned female at birth, are at risk for intimate partner violence (IPV) due to minority stressors. With a sample of 352 sexual and gender minority youth assigned female at birth (ages 16–32), we aimed to describe IPV in this population, including the prevalence, directionality, frequency, co-occurrence, and demographic correlates of various IPV types. Rates of past-6-month IPV were high, with victimization and perpetration of minor psychological IPV most common (64–70%); followed by severe psychological, minor physical, and coercive control (21–33%); and severe physical and sexual IPV (10–15%). For cyber abuse and IPV tactics leveraging anti-sexual minority stigma, victimization (12.5% and 14.8%, respectively) was more common than perpetration (8% and 5.7%, respectively). Most IPV was bidirectional and occurred 1–2 times in 6 months, although the frequency varied considerably. Latent class analyses revealed that half of the participants reported no or minimal IPV; one-third experienced multiple forms of psychological IPV (including coercive control); and 10–15% reported psychological, physical, sexual, and cyber abuse. Racial minority youth had higher rates of most IPV types than White participants. We hope study findings will inform policies and interventions to prevent IPV among gender and sexual minority youth assigned female at birth.

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Mental Health Challenges and Needs among Sexual and Gender Minority People in Western Kenya

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18031311 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 1311

Author(s):

Gary W. Harper ◽

Jessica Crawford ◽

Katherine Lewis ◽

Caroline Rucah Mwochi ◽

Gabriel Johnson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

Western Kenya ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Sexual And Gender Minority ◽

Clinically Significant ◽

And Gender

Background: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) people in Kenya face pervasive socio-cultural and structural discrimination. Persistent stress stemming from anti-SGM stigma and prejudice may place SGM individuals at increased risk for negative mental health outcomes. This study explored experiences with violence (intimate partner violence and SGM-based violence), mental health outcomes (psychological distress, PTSD symptoms, and depressive symptoms), alcohol and other substance use, and prioritization of community needs among SGM adults in Western Kenya. Methods: This study was conducted by members of a collaborative research partnership between a U.S. academic institution and a Kenyan LGBTQ civil society organization (CSO). A convenience sample of 527 SGM adults (92.7% ages 18–34) was recruited from community venues to complete a cross-sectional survey either on paper or through an online secure platform. Results: For comparative analytic purposes, three sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) groups were created: (1) cisgender sexual minority women (SMW; 24.9%), (2) cisgender sexual minority men (SMM; 63.8%), and (3) gender minority individuals (GMI; 11.4%). Overall, 11.7% of participants reported clinically significant levels of psychological distress, 53.2% reported clinically significant levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and 26.1% reported clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms. No statistically significant differences in clinical levels of these mental health concerns were detected across SOGI groups. Overall, 76.2% of participants reported ever using alcohol, 45.6% home brew, 43.5% tobacco, 39.1% marijuana, and 27.7% miraa or khat. Statistically significant SOGI group differences on potentially problematic substance use revealed that GMI participants were less likely to use alcohol and tobacco daily; and SMM participants were more likely to use marijuana daily. Lifetime intimate partner violence (IPV) was reported by 42.5% of participants, and lifetime SGM-based violence (SGMV) was reported by 43.4%. GMI participants were more likely than other SOGI groups to have experienced both IPV and SGMV. Participants who experienced SGMV had significantly higher rates of clinically significant depressive and PTSD symptoms. Conclusions: Despite current resilience demonstrated by SGM adults in Kenya, there is an urgent need to develop and deliver culturally appropriate mental health services for this population. Given the pervasiveness of anti-SGM violence, services should be provided using trauma-informed principles, and be sensitive to the lived experiences of SGM adults in Kenya. Community and policy levels interventions are needed to decrease SGM-based stigma and violence, increase SGM visibility and acceptance, and create safe and affirming venues for mental health care. Political prioritization of SGM mental health is needed for sustainable change.

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Development and Initial Validation of Three Culturally Sensitive Measures of Intimate Partner Violence for Sexual and Gender Minority Populations

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260519846856 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 088626051984685 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Christina Dyar ◽

Adam M. Messinger ◽

Michael E. Newcomb ◽

Gayle R. Byck ◽

Parks Dunlap ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Culturally Sensitive ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Minority Populations ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Initial Validation ◽

Sexual And Gender Minority ◽

And Gender

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Examining the impact of social distancing and methamphetamine use on sexual risk and intimate partner violence in sexual and gender minority young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

Drug and Alcohol Dependence ◽

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109231 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 109231

Author(s):

Casey D. Xavier Hall ◽

Marjan Javanbakht ◽

Chitra Iyer ◽

Cocoa Costales ◽

Julia C. Napolitano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Young Adults ◽

Sexual Risk ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Methamphetamine Use ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Sexual And Gender Minority ◽

And Gender ◽

The Impact

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Help-Seeking Barriers Among Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals Who Experience Intimate Partner Violence Victimization

Intimate Partner Violence and the LGBT+ Community ◽

10.1007/978-3-030-44762-5_8 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 139-158

Author(s):

Jillian R. Scheer ◽

Alexa Martin-Storey ◽

Laura Baams

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Violence Victimization ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Intimate Partner Violence Victimization ◽

Sexual And Gender Minority ◽

And Gender

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The Prevalence of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth in the Justice System: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Criminal Justice and Behavior ◽

10.1177/0093854819848803 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 46 (7) ◽

pp. 999-1019 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Melissa R. Jonnson ◽

Brian M. Bird ◽

Shanna M. Y. Li ◽

Jodi L. Viljoen

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Justice System ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Theoretical Models ◽

Minority Youth ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Sexual And Gender Minority ◽

And Gender

Theoretical models, such as the minority stress model, suggest that sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth may be overrepresented in the justice system. However, few studies have examined rates of SGM youth in the system, and even fewer have compared them with rates of these youth in the broader community. To obtain a more accurate estimate, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 31,258 youths and compared rates of SGM youth in the justice system with those in the community. Contrary to claims that SGM youth are overrepresented generally, this review suggests that sexual minority girls, specifically, are disproportionally involved in the justice system. Rates of involvement appeared to differ across ethnic subgroups of sexual minority youth, and evidence is inconclusive regarding the prevalence of gender minority youth in the system. Implications of these findings for researchers and justice system professionals are discussed.

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Setting an Agenda to Address Intimate Partner Violence Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Conceptual Model and Review

Trauma Violence & Abuse ◽

10.1177/1524838016673599 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 473-487 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Katrina Kubicek

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Conceptual Model ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Young Men ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Minority Populations ◽

Heterosexual Women ◽

And Gender ◽

Sex With Men

Research investigating intimate partner violence (IPV) among sexual minorities is limited. The research that does exist has found that rates of IPV are similar to or higher than the rates found for heterosexual women, the most commonly studied population in this area. This limited research has resulted in a dearth of prevention/intervention programs targeted for these populations. While some may argue that existing IPV programs can be used for these populations, this review presents an argument for more targeted work with sexual minority populations, using young men who have sex with men (YMSM) as an example. Drawing on the framework of intersectionality, this article argues that the intersectionality of age, sexual identity, and gender combines to create a spectrum of unique factors that require specific attention. This framework allows for the identification of known correlates for IPV as well as factors that may be unique to YMSM or other sexual minority populations. The article presents a conceptual model that suggests new areas of research as well as a foundation for the topics and issues that should be addressed in an intervention.

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