Transgender Intimate Partner Violence and Help-Seeking Patterns

2019 ◽  
pp. 088626051988017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Kurdyla ◽  
Adam M. Messinger ◽  
Milka Ramirez

Intimate partner violence (IPV) against transgender individuals is highly prevalent and impactful, and thus research is needed to examine the extent to which survivors are able to reach needed assistance and safety. To our knowledge, no U.S.-based quantitative studies have explored transgender utilization patterns and perceptions regarding a broad range of help-giving resources (HGRs). The present article fills this gap in the literature by exploring help-seeking attitudes and behaviors of a convenience sample of 92 transgender adults and 325 cisgender sexual minority adults in the United States. Results from an online questionnaire indicate that, among the subsample experiencing IPV ( n = 187), help-seeking rates were significantly higher among transgender survivors (84.1%) than cisgender sexual minority survivors (67.1%). In addition, transgender survivors most commonly sought help from friends (76.7%), followed by mental health care providers (39.5%) and family (30.2%), whereas formal HGRs such as police, IPV telephone hotlines, and survivor shelters had low utilization rates. Among all transgender participants, IPV survivors were significantly less likely than nonsurvivors to perceive family, medical doctors, and survivor hotlines as helpful HGRs for other survivors in general. Finally, transgender survivors were significantly less likely than nonsurvivors to self-report a willingness to disclose any future IPV to family. Although replication with larger, probability samples is needed, these findings suggest that friends often represent the primary line of defense for transgender survivors seeking help, and thus bystander intervention trainings and education should be adapted to address not just cisgender but also transgender IPV. Furthermore, because most formal HGR types appear to be underutilized and perceived more negatively by transgender survivors, renewed efforts are needed to tailor services, service advertising, and provider trainings to the needs of transgender communities. Directions for future research are reviewed.

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052110014
Author(s):  
Rob Stephenson ◽  
Lynae A. Darbes ◽  
Matthew T Rosso ◽  
Catherine Washington ◽  
Lisa Hightow-Weidman ◽  
...  

There has been a growth in research illustrating that gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at rates that are comparable to those among heterosexual women. However, the majority of research on IPV among same-sex male couples has focused on adults, and research on the experience of IPV among younger men (those aged under 18), remains at a nascent stage, despite knowledge that IPV is often common among younger men. This article adds to the growing body of literature on IPV among young GBMSM (YGBMSM) through of an analysis of qualitative data from in-depth interviews (IDI) with GBMSM aged 15–19 ( n = 30) in romantic relationships partnerships. The study sought to explore issues of relationship development, relationship contexts, and understandings of IPV. More than one-half of the sample reported experiencing some form of IPV in their current or past relationships. Participants described a range of experiences of IPV, including physical IPV, emotional IPV, sexual IPV, and controlling behaviors. Emotional IPV in the form of negative comments and controlling behaviors such as jealousy were the most commonly reported forms of violence behaviors. Although few participants reported experiencing physical or sexual IPV, several discussed concerns about giving, and partners’ acknowledging, sexual consent. Antecedents to IPV included wanting or feeling pressured to participate in normative development milestones, short-lived relationships, and societal stigma. Interventions that develop content on IPV and that reflect the lived realities of YGBMSM who are experiencing their first relationships are urgently needed. Study findings also support the need for training teachers, health care providers, and parents to identify signs of IPV and provide them with the knowledge and skills to talk to YGBMSM about relationships and violence to reduce IPV.


2019 ◽  
pp. 088626051988853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmine Rodriguez ◽  
Sandra K. Burge ◽  
Johanna Becho ◽  
David A. Katerndahl ◽  
Robert C. Wood ◽  
...  

More than one in three women and one in four men in the United States report victimization by intimate partner violence. Women and men often disagree about the frequency or severity of violent acts, and researchers have proposed various reasons for discordant reports. Using daily surveys and qualitative interviews, we compared men’s and women’s reports about men’s partner aggression and examined language they used to describe their experiences. Fifteen heterosexual couples in violent relationships completed an 8-week study that involved daily telephone surveys about violent behaviors and household environment; baseline and end-of-study surveys addressing predictors and outcomes of violence; and qualitative end-of-study interviews to provide perspective about their relationships. Most participants were Latinos with low income. Relationship length was 5.5 years, median. In daily surveys, both partners reported similar frequencies of men’s physical violence (4% of days), but men reported more physical violence by women than women did (8% vs. 3% of days). The qualitative analysts compared men’s and women’s accounts of male-to-female violence and observed gender-specific variations in style of reporting. Men used indirect language to describe their violent behavior, implied definitions of abuse, and justified their aggression. These findings have implications for clinical guidelines to screen and intervene with victims and perpetrators of intimate partner violence in primary care and emergency settings. Future research should focus on perpetrators of violence and examine effective ways for health care providers to identify and manage their care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 233339361990089
Author(s):  
Petrea Taylor

Women reach out to health care providers for a multitude of health problems in the aftermath of intimate partner violence, including suicidality; however, little is known about how they seek help. The purpose of this study was to explore how women seek help for suicidality after intimate partner violence using a feminist grounded theory and photovoice multiple qualitative research design. Interviews were conducted with 32 women from New Brunswick, Canada, and seven from this sample also participated in five photovoice meetings where they critically reflected on self-generated photos of their help-seeking experiences. Data were analyzed using the constant comparative analysis of grounded theory. Hunting to Feel Human involves fighting for a sense of belonging and personal value by perceiving validation from health care providers. Women battled System Entrapment, a feeling of being dehumanized, by Gauging for Validation and Taking the Path of Least Entrapment. Implications for health care providers include prioritizing validating interactions and adopting a relational approach to practice.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 530-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petrea Taylor

Attention to power imbalances when seeking help for suicidality after having been controlled within intimate partner violence (IPV) is crucial in improving health care delivery. Well documented in the literature is the correlation between suicidality and IPV and that help-seeking for each is difficult; however, a gap exists when both intersect. The process of women’s help-seeking is explored in this feminist grounded theory and photovoice multiple qualitative method study. Analysis of interviews with 32 women from New Brunswick, Canada, and photovoice meetings with seven women revealed a basic psycho-social problem. System Entrapment or being dehumanized while seeking help for suicidality occurred as a result of perceived invalidation from health care providers’ lack of empathy. Further harm while providing services to women feeling suicidal can be prevented with a shift from an individualist model toward a trauma and violence informed approach. Understanding the contextual factors influencing women’s suicidality may reduce victim blaming.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (23-24) ◽  
pp. 5877-5888 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cari Jo Clark ◽  
Lynette M. Renner ◽  
Mary E. Logeais

Health care providers who screen for intimate partner violence (IPV) and counsel patients can reduce victimization and positively impact women’s health and well-being; yet only 2% to 50% of medical professionals report routinely screening female patients. The purpose of this study was to identify current practices, policies, barriers, and opportunities for a coordinated and routinized response to IPV in an outpatient academic primary care clinic. Data were collected through interviews and the Physician Readiness to Manage Intimate Partner Violence questionnaire. Data on IPV screening practices over a 5-month period were also available through the electronic health record. Study participants expressed that there was no uniform method of documenting screening results and great variability in the patient populations and circumstances that prompted screening. Over two thirds of the survey respondents reported either a lack of IPV protocol or a lack of knowledge about one if it existed. Providers and staff who participated believed it was within their scope of work to screen for IPV and recognized IPV as a serious health threat; however, they cited an absence of patient education resources, a lack of staff training and awareness, and no established IPV referral network as barriers to screening for IPV. The results of the pilot are in line with existing research highlighting a general lack of screening, variability in process, and the absence of systems-level policies and protocols and linkages to community resources. Pilot findings have been used to initiate a project which encompasses routinized screening, documentation, and care coordination between providers and community organizations to improve patient well-being.


2005 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy C. Chang ◽  
Michele R. Decker ◽  
Kathryn E. Moracco ◽  
Sandra L. Martin ◽  
Ruth Petersen ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 383-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mia Sisic ◽  
Jerry Tan ◽  
Kathryn D. Lafreniere

Background: Sexual assault and intimate partner violence have never been examined in individuals with hidradenitis suppurativa. The research is important, because prior studies show higher incidences of intimate partner violence and sexual assault in individuals with disabilities, and hidradenitis suppurativa meets criteria for a disability. Objectives: The objective of the study is to examine whether individuals with hidradenitis suppurativa are at significantly higher risk of intimate partner violence and sexual assault compared with individuals who have acne, a recognised disability. Methods: Participants who met criteria for hidradenitis suppurativa and acne were recruited from a mid-sized university and a dermatology clinic. Participants spoke English and were over the age of sexual consent. Group (hidradenitis suppurativa and acne) differences on intimate partner violence and sexual assault were analysed. Victimisation within the past 12 months was measured using the Checklist for Controlling Behaviours, a measure of intimate partner violence, as well as the Sexual Experiences Survey–Short Form Victim, a measure of sexual assault. Results: In total, 243 participants (n = 128 for hidradenitis suppurativa; n = 115 for acne) were surveyed. Individuals with hidradenitis suppurativa were significantly more likely to report being victimised by intimate partner violence. Conclusions: Intimate partner violence was more frequently observed in individuals with hidradenitis suppurativa. Health care providers should be aware of this issue when interacting with patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.


2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 479-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Alvarez ◽  
Gina Fedock ◽  
Karen Trister Grace ◽  
Jacquelyn Campbell

Background: Primary care providers have an important role in identifying survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) and providing safety options. Routine screening rates by providers have been consistently low, indicating a need to better understand providers’ practices to ensure the translation of policy into clinical practice. Aim: This systematic review examines common themes regarding provider screening practices and influencing factors on these practices. Method: A literature search was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The search focused on research articles which met the following criteria: (1) health-care providers as participants, (2) provider reports on screening and counseling practices for IPV, and (3) were in English or Spanish. Results: A total of 35 studies were included in the review. Across studies, providers commonly acknowledged the importance of IPV screening yet often used only selective screening. Influencing factors on clinic, provider, and patient levels shaped the process and outcomes of provider screening practices. Overall, a great deal of variability exists in regard to provider screening practices. This variability may be due to a lack of clear system-level guidance for these practices and a lack of research regarding best practices. Conclusions: These findings suggest the necessity of more facilitative, clearly defined, and perhaps mandatory strategies to fulfill policy requirements. Future research directions are outlined to assist with these goals.


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