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Purpose: This qualitative study explores the pathways by which various forms of intimate partner violence (IPV) impact the sexual health behaviors of cisgender identified sexual minority men (SMM). Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 racially and ethnically diverse SMM who recently experienced IPV and 10 clinical and social service providers focused on how experiences of IPV directly or indirectly influences sexual risk as well as engagement in HIV prevention behaviors (e.g., pre-exposure prophylaxis [PrEP] use). Applied thematic analysis, including cycles of analytic memo writing and coding, aided the identification of patterns across the data. Results: Analyses yielded three overarching themes: use of condoms, use of PrEP, and HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Participants described different ways condom use or nonuse was a mechanism by which power and/or control might be asserted by one partner over the other partner. A range of responses to questions about PrEP were identified, including partners encouraging PrEP use, as well as avoidance of conversations about PrEP or actual PrEP use, to prevent experiencing aggression or IPV from partners. Responses regarding HIV/STIs included those ranging from a new diagnosis being a potential trigger for violence to the exploitation of status to control partners. Conclusion: These findings suggest that in relationships with IPV, HIV prevention strategies can be sources of relationship control and trigger abuse. Addressing IPV may help to prevent HIV/STI transmission and promote the health of SMM. In addition, long-acting formulations of PrEP may be a promising strategy for SMM experiencing IPV when oral PrEP medications may be a risk factor for violence.

We Prevent is a virtual counseling intervention designed to improve communication as a mechanism for reducing HIV risk among young sexual minority men (SMM) in relationships. We evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of We Prevent in comparison to standard Counseling, Testing, and Referral among a national sample of 318 SMM ages 15-24 in a pilot randomized control trial. We found significant differences in condomless sex with outside partners; however, there were no differences in other sexual behaviors, sexual agreements, intimate partner violence (IPV), or communication between the conditions across the 9-month follow-ups. Stratified analyses found non-significant trends suggestive that We Prevent may reduce condomless sex for those ages 15-17 and for relationships over 1-year and may reduce IPV in relationships over 1-year. Though study retention was adequate, session attendance was low. Exit interviews participants reported benefits of We Prevent and provided insights into how to increase uptake., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

While there has been a growth in studies examining sexual violence among sexual minority men, little research attention has been paid to the experience of sexual violence among young sexual minority men (YSMM). In this article we analyze secondary data from the baseline of a pilot randomized control trial with 318 YSMM aged 15 to 24 years in the United States who were in relationships with other males to examine the associations between sexual minority-specific stigma and sociodemographic and relationship characteristics and experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual IPV in their relationships. Approximately one-in-five participants reported experiencing any form of IPV and 6% reported sexual IPV in their current relationship. Participants who reported sexual minority-specific familial rejection (Adjusted Odds Rato (aOR) = 2.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.03, 5.26], p  < .05), internalized heterosexism (aOR = 3.17, 95% CI [1.45, 6.95], p  < .01), and housing insecurity (aOR = 7.22, 95% CI [1.66, 31.34], p  < .01) reported higher odds of sexual IPV in their relationship. Study findings point to the role of multiple sexual minority-specific forms of stigma in creating vulnerabilities for the experience of sexual IPV among YSMM, and highlight the need for continued research and interventions that address sexual minority-specific stigma and structural vulnerabilities to guide violence prevention efforts with YSMM.

Empirical findings on the relationship between women's employment and intimate partner violence (IPV) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are mixed. These varied findings may arise because research thus far has given insufficient attention to how individual attributes and community context shape the pathways between women's employment and IPV. Using publicly available Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from 20 LMIC settings ( n  = 168,995), we investigate (1) how women's employment is associated with past-year IPV and (2) if associations differ by household- or community-level structural drivers of IPV: women's attitudes toward IPV, women's participation in household decision-making, and relative wealth. We fit mixed-effects logistic regression models exploring the total, individual, community, and contextual effects of women's employment on past-year IPV; effect measure modification by structural drivers; and cross-level interactions between community-level structural drivers and individual employment. Our analyses reveal positive associations between total (odds ratio [OR] = 1.31; 95% CI [1.27, 1.35]), individual (OR = 1.23; 95% CI [1.19, 1.27]), community (OR = 1.06; 95% CI [1.06, 1.07]), and contextual effects (OR = 1.04; 95% CI [1.03, 1.05]) of women's employment for IPV. Only individual wealth demonstrated statistically significant effect measure modification for the relationship between individual employment and past-year IPV (ratio of OR = 0.95; 95% CI [0.92, 0.99]). These findings suggest interventions that focus only on increasing women's employment may be associated with harmful increases in the occurrence of IPV, even when these interventions enable a large proportion of women in a community to be employed. Structural interventions that change norms of women's autonomy or attitudes toward IPV at the household or community levels may be insufficient to ameliorate these negative effects, whereas interventions that increase household wealth partly may buffer these effects.

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.

In addition to the growing morbidity and mortality related to the 2019 novel coronavirus (SAR-CoV-2) pandemic, social distancing measures during the pandemic may result in increased intimate partner violence (IPV). However, it is yet unknown if gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM)'s IPV risk has increased during this time. This article describes and analyzes IPV experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of coupled-GBMSM in the United States. We hypothesized that pandemic-driven stressors would be associated with increased IPV prevalence and severity. A sample of 214 coupled men living in the US who had previously participated in HIV-related couple studies was surveyed in July-September 2020. Respondents reported demographic, sexual and substance use behaviors, and relationship characteristics. Surveys also collected data on pandemic-related life-changes (employment, substance use, COVID-19 illness). IPV victimization and perpetration were measured with the Gay and Bisexual Men Intimate Partner Violence scale and measured individually experienced or perpetrated violence, sexual, emotional, monitoring, or controlling behaviors, and if a given behavior was new and/or had changed in frequency during the pandemic. Reported prevalence and pandemic-related changes in victimization and perpetration were described. New or more frequent IPV victimization was modeled against employment, substance use changes, COVID-19 illness, and outside sexual partners (modified by a couple's sexual agreement). IPV perpetration prevalence was 15.17%, 34.44% of which was new or more frequent. Victimization prevalence was 14.95%, of which 46.88% was new or more frequent. After adjustment, outside sexual partners were associated with IPV among those with nonmonogamous sexual agreements; each outside sexual partner increased the odds of new or more frequent victimization by 70% ( OR = 1.70; 95% CI [1.16, 2.51]). Given this study's documented rise in IPV among a sample of coupled men, additional research into IPV predictors, interventions, and support strategies in GBMSM populations are warranted.

While there is strong evidence that the experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) shapes PrEP use among heterosexual women, evidence for similar relationships among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) is scant. In this paper we analyze baseline data from a large randomized controlled trial (RCT) of an HIV prevention intervention for GBMSM recruited from three cities (Atlanta, Detroit and New York City) to examine how the recent experience of IPV shapes their rankings of PrEP delivery options. Men were asked to rank from 1 to 8 PrEP taken by daily pill, event-based pill, injection, anal suppository (before sex), suppository (after sex), gel (penile or rectal) (before sex), and gel (after sex) and condoms. The analysis sample is 694 HIV-negative, sexually active GBMSM. Analysis considers an ordinal outcome measuring participant's ranked preferences for their future use of eight HIV prevention options. Men who experienced physical IPV preferred PrEP in pill form, while men who experienced partners monitoring their behaviors (monitoring IPV) preferred PrEP by injection. Men who experienced emotional IPV ranked PrEP by pill lower than other methods. Sexual and controlling IPV were not significantly associated with PrEP modality ranking. As more modes of PrEP delivery become available, providers should be encouraged to screen GBMSM seeking PrEP for IPV, and to provide men with the necessary information to facilitate an informed choice when deciding on a PrEP modality that will work for them and their relationship context., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Stay at home orders-intended to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by limiting social contact-have forced people to remain in their homes. The additional stressors created by the need to stay home and socially isolate may act as triggers to intimate partner violence (IPV). In this article, we present data from a recent online cross-sectional survey with gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in the United States to illustrate changes in IPV risks that have occurred during the U.S. COVID-19 epidemic. The Love and Sex in the Time of COVID-19 survey was conducted online from April to May 2020. GBMSM were recruited through paid banner advertisements featured on social networking platforms, recruiting a sample size of 696 GBMSM. Analysis considers changes in victimization and perpetration of IPV during the 3 months prior to the survey (March-May 2020) that represents the first 3 months of lockdown during the COVID-19 epidemic. During the period March-May 2020, 12.6% of participants reported experiencing any IPV with higher rates of emotional IPV (10.3%) than sexual (2.2%) or physical (1.8%) IPV. Of those who reported IPV victimization during lockdown, for almost half this was their first time experience: 5.3% reported the IPV they experienced happened for the first time during the past 3 months (0.8% physical, 2.13% sexual, and 3.3% emotional). Reporting of perpetration of IPV during lockdown was lower: only 6% reported perpetrating any IPV, with perpetration rates of 1.5% for physical, 0.5% for sexual, and 5.3% for emotional IPV. Of those who reported perpetration of IPV during lockdown, very small percentages reported that this was the first time they had perpetrated IPV: 0.9% for any IPV (0.2% physical, 0.2% sexual, and 0.6% emotional). The results illustrate an increased need for IPV resources for GBMSM during these times of increased stress and uncertainty, and the need to find models of resource and service delivery that can work inside of social distancing guidelines while protecting the confidentiality and safety of those who are experiencing IPV.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the well-being of people worldwide; however, there has been limited research examining ways in which the pandemic has created changes in relationship quality among young sexual minority men. We analyzed data from a sample of 150 young sexual minority men, aged 15-24 years. In total, 25% reported their relationship quality decreased during the pandemic, 47% reported no change, and 28% reported increased relationship quality due to COVID-19. In multinomial models, intimate partner violence, lower commitment, and spending less time with a partner due to COVID-19 were associated with decreased relationship quality during the pandemic compared to those who reported no change or increased relationship quality due to the pandemic. More efforts are needed to understand and address the impact of COVID-19 on the romantic relationships of young sexual minority men., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Growing evidence suggests that intimate partner violence (IPV) is a barrier to engagement in HIV care. Bidirectional IPV-being both a perpetrator and victim-may be the most common pattern of IPV, yet no research has examined its effect on engagement in care, which could identify couples in most need of interventions. Married couples ( N = 211) with at least one partner on antiretroviral therapy were recruited from HIV clinic waiting rooms in Zomba, Malawi. Partners completed separate surveys on physical, sexual, and emotional IPV, medication adherence, and appointment attendance. We created categorical variables indicating no violence, perpetrator-only, victim-only, and bidirectional violence. Generalized estimating equation regression models tested for associations between IPV and engagement in care. The bidirectional pattern represented 25.4%, 35.5%, and 34.0% of all physical, sexual, and emotional IPV. Physical IPV victimization-only (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.28, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.08, 0.92) was associated with lower adherence, but the association was stronger for bidirectional physical IPV (AOR: 0.10, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.51). Bidirectional sexual IPV was also associated with lower adherence (AOR: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.80). Bidirectional physical IPV (AOR: 4.04, 94% CI: 1.35, 12.14) and emotional IPV (AOR: 3.78, 95% CI: 1.78, 8.05) were associated with missing 1+ appointment. Interventions to address the health effects of bidirectional IPV, which may be greater than victim-only or perpetrator-only IPV, should intervene with both partners to break cycles of violence. Couple-based interventions may be a viable option by intervening on both partners' trauma and aggression simultaneously.

Community norms provide social scripts and pathways to accruing social capital that can alter a woman's risk of experiencing sexual intimate partner violence (IPV). These norms are in turn influenced by the structural environment in which they exist. Missing from the literature is an understanding of how an individual's departure from community norms-positive deviance-influences the risk of sexual IPV and how this effect may vary across structural environments. Demographic and Health Survey data from 32 low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) were stratified into six structural environments by two fundamental structural factors: level of gender inequality and prevalence of sexual IPV. To examine how transcending community norms shape the odds of reporting sexual IPV across environments, six identical multilevel models were fit including statistical deviation from 13 community norms as key covariates. Positive deviance from community norms is associated with both increased and decreased odds of reporting sexual IPV and the nature of these relationships vary by structural environment. Positive deviance had a greater effect on reporting sexual IPV in highly unequal societies. Positive deviance from fertility preferences and controlling behavior was associated with increased odds of sexual IPV across contexts. The accrual of social capital and differences in female autonomy across environments may be two ways positive deviance alters sexual IPV risk. A better understanding of how the salience of community norms varies by structural environment and how transcending these norms shapes the risk for sexual violence may help highlight pathways for interventions to change restrictive social norms and increase female empowerment without increasing the risk of sexual IPV.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to test pathways implied by Disempowerment Theory to predict intimate partner violence (IPV) among men in a same-sex relationship. Background: Sexual minority men in relationships experience rates of IPV comparable with heterosexual women, yet most research on IPV focuses on heterosexual couples. Disempowerment Theory suggests that a range of individual, family-of-origin, and intimate relationship risk factors predict the use of violence to re-establish power in a relationship. Method: Data for the present study were gathered from an online survey completed by sexual minority men currently in a same-sex relationship ( n = 339). Analysis of data included two steps: (a) we tested the direct effect of individual, family, and relational predictors on the odds of IPV and (b) we calculated a path model that included relationship power as a link between the predictors (individual, family, and relational) and IPV. Results: In line with Disempowerment Theory, relationship power was negatively associated with IPV. Bivariate analysis indicated an association between childhood sexual abuse and IPV, but childhood sexual abuse was not predictive of IPV through relationship power. Other individual (depression) and relationship-specific (sexual communication and relationship satisfaction) risk factors were associated with IPV indirectly through relationship power. Conclusion: Disempowerment Theory may provide a useful framework for understanding the occurrence of IPV in sexual minority male couples. It may also provide a starting point for the development of multi-component interventions to reduce violence in these couples.

Microcredit has shown mixed results when used to reduce intimate partner violence (IPV). This study explored microcredit and IPV in Bangladesh by conducting 12 focus groups with married men and women. Participants described challenges to microcredit participation highlighting "missed opportunities" for reducing IPV, including needs to (a) prevent violence sparked by loan disputes, (b) incorporate skill development to improve women's agency as a means of reducing IPV, and (c) mindfully engage men in the loan process to help address men's unequal gender ideologies. These modifications to microcredit programs are proposed to maximize positive change on gender and IPV.

Prior research with male couples has focused on how sexual agreements can influence relationship dynamics, sexual risk taking, and health promoting behaviors. Little is known about the association between sexual agreements and the experience or perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) in this population. Our study sought to evaluate these associations using dyadic data from a sample of 386 male couples residing in the U.S. Both partners independently reported on their relationship characteristics, sexual agreements, and specific acts reflecting physical, emotional, controlling, and monitoring IPV in separate surveys. Participants were more likely to have experienced IPV in the past year if they were in a relationship for ≥ 3 years versus < 3 years (aOR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.03-2.53). Among 278 couples who had formulated sexual agreements, men who concurred with their partners on being in an "open" relationship were less likely to have experienced IPV versus those in a "closed" relationship (aOR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.25-0.89). However, participants were more likely to have experienced IPV if their partners believed they had previously broken their sexual agreement (aOR = 2.79, 95% CI = 1.03-7.52). The verbal explicitness and duration of sexual agreements were not associated with either experiencing or perpetrating IPV in the past year. However, increasing levels of depressive symptomatology were associated with a greater likelihood of both experiencing and perpetrating IPV. Our findings highlight the need to prioritize dyadic interventions for male couples that focus on skills building around enhancing mutual communication and negotiating sexual agreements to reduce IPV.

This article uses a birth cohort analysis to examine whether the sociopolitical environments in which a woman forms attitudes around intimate partner violence (IPV) influence report of physical, sexual, and emotional IPV, and IPV justification in 25 low- and middle-income countries. Cohort effect is then examined across countries by rate of decline in gender inequality over time as measured by the Gender Inequality Index (GII). Results suggest a birth cohort effect for all types of IPV, with women reporting greater odds of IPV with each successive cohort. This is reversed when countries are stratified by rate of GII decrease, but wanes as the rate slows.

Nearly 32% of women report experiencing physical violence from an intimate partner and more than 8% report being raped by a significant other in their lifetime. Young people's perceptions that their peers perpetrate relationship violence have been shown to increase the odds of self-reported perpetration. Yet, limited research has been conducted on this relationship as individuals begin to age out of adolescence. The present study sought to examine the link between the perception of peer perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) and self-reported IPV perpetration among a sample of predominately young adult (21-35 years) males. This study also explored the discordance between the perception of peer IPV behavior and self-reported perpetration. Data from 101 male peer dyads ( n = 202) were taken from a study on the effects of alcohol and bystander intervention in Atlanta, Georgia. Thirty-six percent ( n = 73) of men reported perpetrating physical IPV and 67% ( n = 135) reported perpetrating sexual IPV in the past 12 months. Nearly 35% ( n = 55) of the sample reported that none of their peers had perpetrated physical IPV, which contradicted their friend's self-report of physical IPV perpetration. Similarly, 68% ( n = 115) of the men perceived none of their peers to have perpetrated sexual IPV, which contradicted their friend's self-report of sexual IPV perpetration. Discordance variables were significantly associated with self-reported perpetration for both physical (χ 2 = 152.7, p < .01) and sexual (χ 2 = 164.4, p < .01) IPV. These results point to an underestimation of peer IPV perpetration among young adult males. Findings suggest a traditional social norms approach to IPV prevention, which seeks to persuade individuals that negative behaviors are less common than perceived, may not be the best approach given a significant number of men believed their friends were nonviolent when they had perpetrated violence.

Background: Transgender individuals experience unique vulnerabilities to intimate partner violence (IPV) and may experience a disproportionate IPV burden compared with cisgender (nontransgender) individuals. Objectives: To systematically review the quantitative literature on prevalence and correlates of IPV in transgender populations. Search Methods: Authors searched research databases (PubMed, CINAHL), gray literature (Google), journal tables of contents, and conference abstracts, and consulted experts in the field. Authors were contacted with data requests in cases in which transgender participants were enrolled in a study, but no disaggregated statistics were provided for this population. Selection Criteria: We included all quantitative literature published before July 2019 on prevalence and correlates of IPV victimization, perpetration, or service utilization in transgender populations. There were no restrictions by sample size, year, or location. Data Collection and Analysis: Two independent reviewers conducted screening. One reviewer conducted extraction by using a structured database, and a second reviewer checked for mistakes or omissions. We used random-effects meta-analyses to calculate relative risks (RRs) comparing the prevalence of IPV in transgender individuals and cisgender individuals in studies in which both transgender and cisgender individuals were enrolled. We also used meta-analysis to compare IPV prevalence in assigned-female-sex-at-birth and assigned-male-sex-at-birth transgender individuals and to compare physical IPV prevalence between nonbinary and binary transgender individuals in studies that enrolled both groups. Main Results: We identified 85 articles from 74 unique data sets (n total  = 49 966 transgender participants). Across studies reporting it, the median lifetime prevalence of physical IPV was 37.5%, lifetime sexual IPV was 25.0%, past-year physical IPV was 16.7%, and past-year sexual IPV was 10.8% among transgender individuals. Compared with cisgender individuals, transgender individuals were 1.7 times more likely to experience any IPV (RR = 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.36, 2.03), 2.2 times more likely to experience physical IPV (RR = 2.19; 95% CI = 1.66, 2.88), and 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual IPV (RR = 2.46; 95% CI = 1.64, 3.69). Disparities persisted when comparing to cisgender women specifically. There was no significant difference in any IPV, physical IPV, or sexual IPV prevalence between assigned-female-sex-at-birth and assigned-male-sex-at-birth individuals, nor in physical IPV prevalence between binary- and nonbinary-identified transgender individuals. IPV victimization was associated with sexual risk, substance use, and mental health burden in transgender populations. Authors' Conclusions: Transgender individuals experience a dramatically higher prevalence of IPV victimization compared with cisgender individuals, regardless of sex assigned at birth. IPV prevalence estimates are comparably high for assigned-male-sex-at-birth and assigned-female-sex-at-birth transgender individuals, and for binary and nonbinary transgender individuals, though more research is needed. Public Health Implications : Evidence-based interventions are urgently needed to prevent and address IPV in this high-risk population with unique needs. Lack of legal protections against discrimination in employment, housing, and social services likely foster vulnerability to IPV. Transgender individuals should be explicitly included in US Preventive Services Task Force recommendations promoting IPV screening in primary care settings. Interventions at the policy level as well as the interpersonal and individual level are urgently needed to address epidemic levels of IPV in this marginalized, high-risk population.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) significantly increases HIV risk among MSM. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may provide MSM experiencing IPV an option for self-protection from HIV without requiring condom negotiation or compromising safety. This study examined relationships among various forms of IPV (physical, emotional, monitoring, controlling, and forced sex) and PrEP use among 863 MSM participating in a cross-sectional, internet-based survey. Participants reported IPV rates during the prior 6 months that were consistent with prior research (physical violence, 23.3%; emotional violence, 36.3%; monitoring, 45.1%; controlling, 25.3%; forced sex, 20.0%). Forced sex and emotional IPV were negatively associated with PrEP use in our sample; in contrast, controlling was positively associated with PrEP use. We suggest clinical IPV screenings among MSM seeking PrEP, as well as PrEP-focused interventions that explicitly address IPV.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a prevalent and pressing public health concern that affects people of all gender and sexual identities. Though studies have identified that male couples may experience IPV at rates as high as or higher than women in heterosexual partnerships, the body of literature addressing this population is still nascent. This study recruited 160 male-male couples in Atlanta, Boston, and Chicago to independently complete individual surveys measuring demographic information, partner violence experience and perpetration, and individual and relationship characteristics that may shape the experience of violence. Forty-six percent of respondents reported experiencing IPV in the past year. Internalized homophobia significantly increased the risk for reporting experiencing, perpetrating, or both for any type of IPV. This study is the first to independently gather data on IPV from both members of male dyads and indicates an association between internalized homophobia and risk for IPV among male couples. The results highlight the unique experiences of IPV in male-male couples and call for further research and programmatic attention to address the exorbitant levels of IPV experienced within some of these partnerships.

The prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) in same-sex male relationships has been reported to be at least as prevalent as is observed in female-male relationships. Though research has focused on understanding the prevalence and antecedents of IPV in male-male relationships, there is a paucity of data describing perceptions of coping strategies adopted by gay and bisexual men who may experience IPV. Ten focus group discussions were conducted with 64 gay and bisexual men in Atlanta, Georgia, between September 2013 and November 2013. Focus groups examined perceptions of how gay and bisexual men would respond to IPV and the IPV-coping services they would utilize. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify themes that describe how gay and bisexual men perceive existing IPV services and how they would use these services, if gay and bisexual men were to experience IPV. The results indicate that men experiencing IPV in male-male relationships do not have adequate access to IPV services that are tailored to their unique needs. As a result, there is a strong reliance on informal sources of support. Services are urgently needed to meet the unique needs of men experiencing IPV in same-sex relationships.

Context: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes. Antenatal care can act as a link to IPV services, but experiencing IPV may be associated with reduced uptake of antenatal care, an issue that has received little attention from researchers., Methods: A scoping review was conducted to synthesize quantitative research on IPV and uptake of antenatal care in low-resource settings. Keyword searches of PubMed and other databases and snowball searches of reference lists were conducted to identify articles published in 2005-2015 that measured one or more types of IPV (physical, sexual or emotional) or controlling behavior and assessed the relationship of such abuse with use of antenatal care. For each identified article, key characteristics and findings were abstracted, and study quality was assessed., Results: Sixteen articles, representing 10 low- and middle-income countries, met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were of medium-to-high quality but low rigor, reflecting the abundance of cross-sectional studies in the literature. In all 16 studies, IPV was negatively associated with initiation of antenatal care, number of visits or use of a skilled provider. Analyses revealed reduced odds of antenatal care use among women who had experienced IPV (odds ratios, 0.5-0.8) and elevated odds of antenatal care use among women who had not experienced IPV or of nonuse among women who had experienced IPV (1.2-4.1)., Conclusion: Women in low-resource settings who experience IPV have a reduced likelihood of obtaining optimal antenatal care and may benefit from interventions to mitigate barriers to care.

Increased risk of HIV acquisition among intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors underscores the need for regular HIV testing, but IPV-associated shame, stigma, and control may hinder uptake. Between March and November 2014, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 79 HIV-negative, high-risk women aged 18-50 in Atlanta, Georgia, to explore whether IPV experience was associated with less uptake of HIV testing, and fewer motivations and more reported barriers to HIV testing uptake. Psychological and physical and/or sexual abuse was significantly associated with less past-year HIV testing (p = .022 and p = .030, respectively), longer time since last HIV test (r = 0.282, p = .012, and r = 0.282, p = .012, respectively), and more reported barriers to HIV testing (r = 0.406, p = .004, and r = 0.389, p = .006). While requiring further validation, these preliminary findings suggest IPV survivors need additional support to access HIV testing services.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) rates are disproportionately high among sexual minority populations, with increasing evident that gay men experience IPV at the same rates as heterosexual women. This study examines the relationship between self-reported condomless anal intercourse (CAI) and IPV among a sample of 750 gay and bisexual men. Participants answered questions regarding recent receipt and perpetration of IPV using the IPV-GBM Scale (Cronbach Alpha 0.90). Of the sample, 46.1% reported recent receipt of any type of IPV and 33.6% reported recent perpetration of any type of IPV. Overall, 55.1% of participants reported CAI at last sex. Significant associations were determined between several forms of IPV and increased odds of reporting CAI at last sex. These findings suggest that IPV may be a risk factor for CAI among men who have sex with men, and highlight the need to understand the IPV prevention and care needs of this population.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) rates are disproportionately high among sexual minority populations. Few studies have examined the plausible relationship between minority stress and IPV among men who have sex with men. This study examines the associations between IPV and three indicators of minority stress: internalized homophobia, sexuality-based discrimination, and racism, in a large venue-based sample of gay and bisexual men from Atlanta, USA. Each of the minority stress measures was found to be significantly associated with increased odds of self-reporting any form of receipt of IPV. Significant associations were also identified between perpetration of IPV and minority stressors, with most types of IPV perpetration linked to internalized homophobia. This study confirms findings in a growing body of research supporting the relationship between minority stress and increased prevalence of IPV among men who have sex with men, and points to the need to address structural factors in IPV prevention programs for male-male couples.

Purpose: Intimate partner violence (IPV) research among men who have sex with men (MSM) has primarily focused on the prevalence of IPV victimization and perpetration. Although alcohol use is a known trigger of IPV in opposite sex relationships, less is known about alcohol use and IPV perpetration and victimization in same-sex couples. The aim of this study was to examine associations between alcohol use and different types of IPV victimization and perpetration among MSM., Methods: MSM in New York City were recruited at gay-friendly venues and events to participate in an online survey assessing sociodemographics, alcohol use, and victimization/perpetration of IPV with both regular and casual sex partners. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between alcohol use and different types of IPV victimization and perpetration., Results: Among 189 participants, 103 (54.5%) reported experiencing at least one incidence of IPV perpetrated by a regular partner and 92 (48.7%) reported having perpetrated IPV against a regular partner in the past 12 months. Higher levels of alcohol use were significantly associated with (1) physical/sexual and HIV-related IPV victimization by a regular partner, (2) physical/sexual, monitoring, and controlling IPV victimization by a casual partner, (3) physical/sexual, emotional, controlling, and HIV-related IPV perpetration against a regular partner, and (4) physical/sexual and emotional IPV perpetration against a casual partner., Conclusions: The association of high levels of alcohol use with different types of IPV perpetration and IPV victimization suggests a need for targeted services that address the co-occurring issues of alcohol use and IPV., Competing Interests: Author Disclosure Statement No competing financial interests exist.

In countries such as the USA, gay and bisexual men experience high rates of intimate partner violence. However, little is known about the factors that contribute to this form of violence. In this study, we examine gay and bisexual men's perceptions of sources of tension in same-sex male relationships and how these may contribute to intimate partner violence. We conducted seven focus-group discussions with 64 gay and bisexual men in Atlanta, GA. Focus groups examined men's reactions to the short-form revised Conflicts Tactics Scale to determine if each item was considered to be intimate partner violence if it were to occur among gay and bisexual men. Analysts completed a thematic analysis, using elements of grounded theory. The sources of tension that men identified included: gender role conflict, dyadic inequalities (e.g. differences in income, age, education), differences in 'outness' about sexual identity, substance use, jealousy and external homophobic violence. Results suggest that intimate partner violence interventions for gay and bisexual men should address behavioural factors, while also focusing on structural interventions. Interventions that aim to reduce homophobic stigma and redefine male gender roles may help to address some of the tension that contributes to intimate partner violence in same-sex male relationships.

Objectives: We assessed the relation of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), intimate partner violence (IPV), and depression to HIV sexual risk behaviors among Black men who have sex with men (MSM)., Methods: Participants were 1522 Black MSM recruited from 6 US cities between July 2009 and December 2011. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used., Results: Participants reported sex before age 12 years with someone at least 5 years older (31.1%), unwanted sex when aged 12 to 16 years (30%), IPV (51.8%), and depression (43.8%). Experiencing CSA when aged 12 to 16 years was inversely associated with any receptive condomless anal sex with a male partner (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.29, 0.86). Pressured or forced sex was positively associated with any receptive anal sex (AOR = 2.24; 95% CI = 1.57, 3.20). Experiencing CSA when younger than 12 years, physical abuse, emotional abuse, having been stalked, and pressured or forced sex were positively associated with having more than 3 male partners in the past 6 months. Among HIV-positive MSM (n = 337), CSA between ages 12 and 16 years was positively associated with having more than 3 male partners in the past 6 months., Conclusions: Rates of CSA, IPV, and depression were high, but associations with HIV sexual risk outcomes were modest.

Background: Despite growing attention to intimate partner violence (IPV) globally, systematic evaluation of evidence for IPV prevention remains limited. This particularly is true in relation to low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), where researchers often organize evidence by current interventions strategies rather than comprehensive models of IPV. Applying the concept of structural interventions to IPV, we systematically reviewed the quantitative impact of such interventions for prevention of male-to-female IPV in LMIC in order to (a) highlight current opportunities for IPV research and programming and (b) demonstrate how structural interventions may provide an organizing framework through which to build an evidence base for IPV prevention., Methods: We identified articles by systematically searching PubMed and Web of Science, reviewing references of selected studies, and contacting 23 experts. Inclusion criteria included original research, written in English, published between January 2000 and May 2015 in the peer-reviewed literature. Studies evaluated the quantitative impact of structural interventions for the prevention of male-to-female IPV in LMIC through (a) IPV incidence or prevalence or (b) secondary outcomes theoretically linked to IPV by study authors. After initial screening, we evaluated full text articles for inclusion and extracted data on study characteristics, outcomes, and risk of bias, using forms developed for the review., Results: Twenty articles (16 studies) from nine countries met inclusion criteria, representing 13 randomized control trials and seven additional studies, all of which reported results from economic, social, or combined economic and social interventions. Standardized at p < 0.05 or 95 % confidence intervals not including unity, 13 studies demonstrated statistically significant effects for at least one primary or secondary outcome, including decreased IPV and controlling behaviors; improved economic wellbeing; enhanced relationship quality, empowerment, or social capital; reduced acceptability of IPV; new help seeking behaviors; and more equitable gender norms. Risk of bias, however, varied in meaningful ways., Conclusions: Our findings support the potential effectiveness of structural interventions for IPV prevention. Structural interventions, as an organizing framework, may advance IPV prevention by consolidating available evidence; highlighting opportunities to assess a broader range of interventions, including politico-legal and physical approaches; and emphasizing opportunities to improve evaluation of such interventions.

Introduction Despite several recent studies documenting high rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) among gay and bisexual men (GBM), the literature is silent regarding GBM’s perceptions of IPV within their community. We examine GBM’s perceptions of same-sex IPV: its commonness, its severity, and the helpfulness of a hypothetical police response to a GBM experiencing IPV.Methods: We drew data from a 2011 survey of venue-recruited GBM (n¼989). Respondents were asked to describe the commonness of IPV, severity of IPV, and helpfulness of a hypothetical police response to IPV among GBM and among heterosexual women. We fitted a logistic model for the outcome of viewing the police response to a gay/bisexual IPV victim as less helpful than for a female heterosexual IPV victim. The regression model controlled for age, race/ethnicity, education, sexual orientation, employment status, and recent receipt of physical, emotional, and sexual IPV, with key covariates being internalized homophobia and experiences of homophobic discrimination.Results: The majority of respondents viewed IPV among GBM as common (54.9%) and problematic(63.8%). While most respondents had identical perceptions of the commonness (82.7%) and severity (84.1%) of IPV in GBM compared to heterosexual women, the majority of the sample (59.1%) reported perceiving that contacting the police would be less helpful for a GBM IPV victim than for a heterosexual female IPV victim. In regression, respondents who reported more lifetime experiences of homophobic discrimination were more likely to have this comparatively negative perception (odds ratio: 1.11, 95% confidence interval: 1.06, 1.17).Conclusion: The results support a minority stress hypothesis to understand GBM’s perceptions of police helpfulness in response to IPV. While IPV was viewed as both common and problematic among GBM, their previous experiences of homophobia were correlated with a learned anticipation of rejection and stigma from law enforcement. As the response to same-sex IPV grows, legal and health practitioners should ensure that laws and policies afford all protections to GBM IPV victims that are afforded to female IPV victims, and should consider methods to minimize the negative impact that homophobic stigma has upon GBM’s access of police assistance. [West J Emerg Med. 2013;14(4):354–362.]

Purpose: We aimed to describe the prevalence of IPV victimization, changes of experiencing IPV victimization, and examined factors associated with more severe or frequent IPV victimization since the COVID-19 crisis among a global sample of sexual minority men (SMM). Methods: Data were collected between October and November 2020 through a gay social networking (GSN) application. We used multinominal logistic regression to examine correlates of experiencing any IPV during the pandemic and experiencing more severe or frequent IPV since the pandemic began. Results: Of all participants (n = 9420), IPV victimization prevalence in the past 6 months was 17.0%, 19.5% of whom reported experiencing more severe or frequent IPV and 55.7% reported experiencing IPV that stayed the same since the COVID-19 started. Experiencing more severe or frequent IPV victimization since the pandemic began was associated with having engaged in sex work, having an income reduction by more than 20% and cutting meals since the COVID-19 crisis began. Increased tobacco use and psychological distress were also associated with increased IPV victimization. Lastly, SMM who reported having met a sexual partner through GSN apps were more likely to say that their experience of IPV had been more severe or frequently. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate relatively high levels of reporting IPV victimization during the COVID-19 pandemic among a global sample of SMM. The findings illustrate an increasing need for IPV resources and programs as the pandemic continues to evolve. New technologies such as GSN apps have the potential to deliver confidential and safe IPV screening, services, and resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Intimate partner violence (IPV) in male couples is a public health concern, but the reliability of self-reported IPV data from gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) is understudied. Research in heterosexual couples finds IPV-underreporting can be differential between victims/perpetrators and by gender; it is unknown if GBMSM-data has similar limitations. Methods: This study assessed interpartner agreement (percent agreement; kappa statistics) between self- and partner-reported IPV, and compared agreement between 2 recall periods (1-year; 3-month), 3 granularities (any IPV; IPV domain; IPV behaviors), and across 3 surveys (BL; Wave 1 (W1); Wave 2 (W2)) in a sample of 404 male couples in the U.S. (2016–2017). Longitudinal dyadic concordance-trends were assessed to determine if couples had consistently reliable data over time. Results: Past-year IPV-victimization prevalence was 66.41% and perpetration, 64.42%; past 3-month IPV-victimization prevalence was 47.30% (W1) and 52.57% (W2), and perpetration, 46.30% (W1) and 46.30% (W2). Interpartner agreement was consistently low across recall periods and granularities. Observed agreement was higher for those who did not report IPV, compared to those who reported experiencing IPV. At an individual-level, interpartner agreement on any given survey was not significantly predictive of subsequent data reliability. Conclusion: Researchers should be cognizant of the potential for unpredictable and unreliable IPV reports from GBMSM. Further research on IPV data quality in male couples is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most new HIV diagnoses in the US occur among sexual minority men (SMM). The majority (69%) of new HIV diagnoses among US SMM are due to transmission from main sex partners. We identified multilevel correlates of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI; condomless anal intercourse while not using a biomedical strategy) among SMM couples using the Actor Partner Interdependence Model (APIM). Participants were US SMM over 18 years, with a primary male partner > 6 months. Couples were recruited online from April 2016 until June 2017 and interviewed using self-administered computer-assisted surveys. We used a series of APIM regressions to assess multilevel associations with UAI. We also tested the moderating role of an individual's binge drinking on the relationship between HIV status similarity and UAI. Among 798 participants (n = 411 couples), 61% reported UAI in the past 6 months. Binge drinking (52%) and physical intimate partner violence (IPV; 34%) were considerably high within our sample. Actor's binge drinking, reporting experiencing and/or perpetrating physical IPV, and partner's trust were positively associated with UAI. Actor having other sexual partner(s), using illegal drugs (not marijuana), and length of relationship were negatively associated with UAI. Binge drinking positively moderated UAI among HIV serostatus similar partners. HIV prevention programming should integrate components on IPV and binge drinking reduction- especially among HIV serostatus similar couples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators often deny their actions, limiting opportunities for intervention. Cisgender male couples experience similar IPV rates to mixed-gender couples, yet less is known about how men in same-sex relationships deny or report their IPV behavior. This study aimed to describe perpetration denial across emotional, monitoring/controlling, and physical/sexual IPV, and to identify correlates of perpetration denial, in a convenience sample of male couples (N = 848; United States, 2016-2017). Past-year victimization and perpetration were measured with the IPV-Gay and Bisexual Men (GBM) scale; perpetration deniers were men whose self-reported perpetration contradicted their partner's reported victimization. Individual-, partner-, and dyadic-correlates of perpetration denial, by IPV-type, were identified using actorpartner interdependence models. We identified 663 (78.2%) perpetrators: 527 emotional; 490 monitoring/controlling; 267 physical/sexual. Thirty-six percent of physical/sexual-, 27.7% of emotional-, and 21.43% of monitoring/controlling-perpetrators categorically denied their actions. Depression was negatively associated with denying monitoring/controlling-perpetration (odds ratio 95% confidence interval: 0.91 [0.84, 0.99]) and physical/sexual-perpetration (0.91 [0.83, 0.97]); dyadic differences in depression were associated with emotional-perpetration denial (0.95 [0.90, 0.99]). Recent substance users had 46% lower odds of monitoring/controlling-denial (0.54 [0.32, 0.92]), versus non-users. Partner-race and employment were also significantly associated with emotional perpetration denial. This study highlights IPV denial's complexities, including differences across IPV types. Further investigations into how cisgender men in same-sex couples perceive and report various types of IPV perpetration will provide valuable insight into how an underserved and understudied population experiences IPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at rates comparable to heterosexual women. Previous studies have identified that having a sexual agreement—an explicit agreement around sex permitted outside of the relationship—is associated with reductions in IPV. This article uses data from a sample of 967 partnered GBMSM to examine associations between individual use of substances and alcohol, discordant partner reports of sexual agreements, and the self-reporting of bidirectional IPV. Men who reported different sexual agreements than their partners and recently engaged in substance use or binge drinking had significantly increased odds of IPV. Dyadic interventions are necessary to assist couples in developing the communication skills to successfully navigate both their substance use and discussions around sexual agreements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sexual minority men experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at rates similar to those reported by heterosexual women in the United States. Previous studies linked both IPV victimization and perpetration to HIV risk and seroconversion; however, less is known about the impact of IPV on HIV testing, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake, and the persistence of PrEP use among sexual minority men experiencing IPV. Although prior work suggests that IPV may influence HIV prevention behavior, experiences of IPV are so highly varied among sexual minority men (eg, forms, frequency, and severity; steady vs casual partnerships; perpetration vs receipt; and sexual vs physical vs psychological violence) that additional research is needed to better understand the impact that IPV has on HIV risk and protective behaviors to develop more effective interventions for sexual minority men. Objective: This study aims to contribute to our understanding of the antecedents of IPV and the direct and indirect pathways between perpetration and receipt of IPV and HIV or STI risk behavior, STIs, and use of PrEP among sexual minority men experiencing IPV. Methods: This mixed methods study has 2 phases: phase 1 involved formative qualitative interviews with 23 sexual minority men experiencing IPV and 10 key stakeholders or providers of services to sexual minority men experiencing IPV to inform the content of a subsequent web-based cohort study, and phase 2 involves the recruitment of a web-based cohort study of 500 currently partnered HIV-negative sexual minority men who reside in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-identified Ending the HIV Epidemic priority jurisdictions across the United States. Participants will be followed for 24 months. They will be assessed through a full survey and asked to self-collect and return biospecimen kits assessing HIV, STIs, and PrEP use at 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. They will also be asked to complete abbreviated surveys to assess for self-reported changes in key study variables at 3, 9, 15, and 21 months. Results: Phase 1 was launched in May 2021, and the phase 1 qualitative interviews began in December 2021 and were concluded in March 2022 after a diversity of experiences and perceptions were gathered and no new ideas emerged in the interviews. Rapid analysis of the qualitative interviews took place between March 2022 and June 2022. Phase 2 recruitment of the full cohort began in August 2022 and is planned to continue through February 2024. Conclusions: This mixed methods study will contribute valuable insights into the association that IPV has with HIV risk and protective behaviors among sexual minority men. The findings from this study will be used to inform the development or adaptation of HIV and IPV prevention interventions for sexual minority men experiencing IPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention by men who have sex with men (MSM) may be impacted by relationship dynamics. We assessed perceived partner support of PrEP use and benefit of PrEP by relationship characteristics among male couples. Baseline data from a randomized control trial of video-based HIV counseling and testing among male couples in the U.S. were used in adjusted multilevel regression models to assess individual and dyadic characteristics. Among 659 participants, 73.3% thought their partner would be supportive of their PrEP use; 26.7% reported their partner would not support PrEP use, which was significantly associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) (p = 0.008). Most (57.7%) did not believe PrEP would be beneficial to them or their partner. Couples with a sexual agreement allowing outside partners were significantly associated with higher perceived support of partners for PrEP (p < 0.001) and benefit of PrEP use (p < 0.001). Perceived partner support of PrEP was high but perceived benefit of PrEP was low, both shaped by relationship dynamics that highlight the need for tailored dyadic interventions. The association between perceived PrEP support and IPV points to the need to integrate relationship contexts in HIV prevention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women in India experience high rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) and low rates of adherence to World Health Organization (WHO) breastfeeding guidelines, contributing to poor maternal and child health outcomes. However, there is little evidence for how IPV might influence ability to adhere to these guidelines in India. This study examines how different forms and severity levels of IPV are associated with current infant feeding behavior throughout the first year of life in an effort to begin to fill this gap in the literature and provide information to improve infant feeding programs. Data are analyzed from the 2015 Indian National Family Health Survey. The sample comprised women who reported initiating breastfeeding in the past 12 months and who were selected for the Domestic Violence Module (n = 6812). Two outcome variables were created to measure current adherence to the WHO breastfeeding guidelines for mothers of 1) infants 6 months and younger and 2) infants 7 to 12 months. Two logistic regression models were fit to measure associations between the outcome variables and non-severe physical violence, severe physical violence, and sexual violence. Less than one-third of women reported adhering to WHO breastfeeding guidelines. Only severe physical violence was significantly associated with lower odds of current exclusive breastfeeding among mothers of infants 0 to 6 months. This analysis advances the understanding of how IPV is associated with suboptimal breastfeeding behavior by categorizing the severity of violence and including infants through the first year of life. The results suggest it may be crucial to focus intervention efforts on mothers with younger infants if the negative health effects of early weaning are to be avoided. Additional study of IPV in mothers of older infants should focus on the temporality of violence, which may elucidate additional findings regarding IPV and breastfeeding in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Domestic violence (DV) is prevalent in low-income and slum-dwelling communities in India. To date, the focus of DV prevention in resource-poor settings has largely been with women. We herein aim to identify correlates of DV perpetration to help inform future primary prevention efforts that focus on behavioral change in men. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, potential correlates of DV perpetration were explored among a geographically-clustered random sample of 100 recently-married men residing in slums in Pune, India. In multivariable regression, DV perpetration was associated with less time spent alone in the relationship post-marriage (standardized β = -0.230, p<0.01), not attaining the “husband ideal” (standardized β = -0.201, p<0.05), poor resilience (standardized β = -0.304, p < .01), having limited definitions of behaviors constituting DV (standardized β = -0.217, p<0.05), and reporting greater jealousy if the participant’s spouse were to talk to men outside the family (standardized β = 0.272, p<0.01). The identified correlates should inform components of future DV primary prevention interventions that target men as potential perpetrators or the couple as a unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high risk of experiencing domestic violence (DV) among married women in India who reside in slum communities underscores the need for effective, evidence-based, and culturally-tailored primary prevention. To inform such DV primary prevention strategies for this population, we herein aimed to identify correlates of DV experience in early marriage. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, potential correlates of DV experience were explored among a geographically-clustered random sample of 100 recently-married women residing in slums in Pune, India. In multivariable regression, DV experience was associated with less educational attainment by the participant’s spouse (standardized β = -0.281, p = 0.004), less satisfaction of the spouse’s family with the maanpaan (wedding-related gifts provided by the bride’s family) they received at the time of marriage (standardized β = -0.298, p<0.001), poorer conflict negotiation skills (standardized β = -0.308, p<0.001), and greater acknowledgement of DV occurrence in family and friends (standardized β = 0.436, p<0.001). These correlates suggest strategies that could be incorporated into future DV primary prevention interventions for this vulnerable population (i.e. promoting completion of formal education of boys alongside girls, mitigating causes of familial dowry harassment, improving conflict negotiation skills, and challenging norms surrounding DV). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Domestic violence (DV) is prevalent among women in India and has been associated with poor mental and physical health. We performed a systematic review of 137 quantitative studies published in the prior decade that directly evaluated the DV experiences of Indian women to summarise the breadth of recent work and identify gaps in the literature. Among studies surveying at least two forms of abuse, a median 41% of women reported experiencing DV during their lifetime and 30% in the past year. We noted substantial inter-study variance in DV prevalence estimates, attributable in part to different study populations and settings, but also to a lack of standardisation, validation, and cultural adaptation of DV survey instruments. There was paucity of studies evaluating the DV experiences of women over age 50, residing in live-in relationships, same-sex relationships, tribal villages, and of women from the northern regions of India. Additionally, our review highlighted a gap in research evaluating the impact of DV on physical health. We conclude with a research agenda calling for additional qualitative and longitudinal quantitative studies to explore the DV correlates proposed by this quantitative literature to inform the development of a culturally tailored DV scale and prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of domestic violence and abortion in India is high, yet little is known about the relationship between these experiences. Data from two linked data sets, India’s 1998-1999 National Family Health Survey (NFHS-2) and a follow-up survey in 2002-2003, were analyzed. The analysis examines how the experience of physical violence affects the subsequent uptake of abortion, and how the experience of abortion affects subsequent experience of physical, sexual, and verbal violence. Women who experienced physical violence have significantly higher odds of reporting a subsequent induced abortion, whereas women who had an induced abortion have significantly higher odds of reporting subsequent sexual and verbal violence. There was no significant relationship between domestic violence and spontaneous abortion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner violence research has focused almost exclusively on physical and sexual intimate partner violence in opposite-sex relationships, paying little attention to the intimate partner violence experienced by men in same-sex relationships. Emerging research focusing on intimate partner violence among male-male couples has focused largely on physical and sexual violence, with little consideration of the unique forms of emotional violence experienced by gay men. Ten focus-group discussions with gay and bisexual men were conducted to examine perceived typologies, antecedents and experiences of emotional violence that occur between male partners. Participants described emotional violence as the most threatening form of intimate partner violence, driven largely by factors including power differentials, gender roles and internalised homophobia. Results indicate that gay and bisexual men perceive emotional intimate partner violence to be commonplace. A better understanding of emotional violence within male-male relationships is vital to inform intimate partner violence prevention efforts and the more accurate measurement of intimate partner violence for gay men. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: The experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) has been shown to decrease condom negotiation efficacy among women; however, studies of this association among gay and bisexual men (GBM) are lacking. Methods: A venue-recruited sample of 745 GBM was recruited in Atlanta, GA, USA in 2012-13. Participants self-completed a survey including questions on recent (previous 12 month) experience and perpetration of IPV using the IPV-GBM Scale. Multivariate regression analysis examined the association between reporting low condom negotiation efficacy with the respondent's most recent sex partner (19.2% of respondents) and recent experience of IPV with the same or another partner. Results: Nearly half the sample (49.1%) reported recent receipt of IPV, although prevalence varied considerably across the forms of IPV. GBM who reported recent IPV experience were significantly less likely to report having felt able to negotiate condom use. Conclusions: These findings suggest that IPV may be a significant risk factor for HIV acquisition and transmission among GBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online focus group discussions (FGDs) are becoming popular as a qualitative research method. Methodological examinations regarding the data quality of online versus more traditional in-person FGDs are limited. We compared two online FGDs with two in-person FGDs conducted with gay and bisexual men using a sensitive topic (the experience of intimate partner violence) to examine differences in data quality between the two methods. The online FGDs resulted in larger word count but were shorter in time than the in-person FGDs. There was high overlap in the themes generated across groups; however, the online discussions yielded one additional theme regarding a sensitive topic. In-person FGDs involved less sharing of in-depth stories, whereas sensitive topics were discussed more candidly in the online FGDs. The results illustrate that although the format of the data generated from each type of FGD may differ, the content of the data generated is remarkably similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]