scholarly journals Mining for Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) in Sexual Minority Women Who Survive Intimate Partner Violence: A Conceptual Perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Counselman-Carpenter ◽  
Alex Redcay

This theoretical paper explores the need to use posttraumatic growth (PTG) as a framework when studying sexual minority women (SMW) who are survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) to examine the relationship between risk factors such as stress, anxiety and alcohol use and to understand the role of protective factors through mining for the presence of posttraumatic growth (PTG). Despite a call for continued research in this highly vulnerable population, representative studies of SMW and PTG remain extremely limited. Research that examines the relationship between IPV, behavioral health issues, and posttraumatic growth would provide the opportunity to develop tailored intervention models and opportunities for program development to decrease isolation and increase factors of posttraumatic growth. In particular, the impact of how interpersonal relationships as potential mediators and/or outcomes of posttraumatic growth (PTG) needs to be explored more thoroughly. PTG is a valuable framework for vulnerable populations such as sexual minority women because it focuses on how transformative change may result from traumatic experiences such as surviving IPV.

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 572-592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan E. Sutter ◽  
Annie E. Rabinovitch ◽  
Michael A. Trujillo ◽  
Paul B. Perrin ◽  
Lisa D. Goldberg ◽  
...  

This study explored patterns of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and perpetration in 150 sexual minority women (SMW): 25.3% had been sexually victimized, 34% physically victimized, 76% psychologically victimized, and 29.3% suffered an IPV-related injury. A latent class analysis found four behavioral patterns: (1) minor-only psychological perpetration and victimization; (2) no IPV; (3) minor–severe psychological, physical assault, and injury victimization, and minor-only psychological, physical, and injury perpetration; and (4) severe psychological, sexual, physical assault, and injury victimization and perpetration. Individuals who experienced and/or perpetrated all types experienced the greatest heterosexism at work, school, and in other contexts.


2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052097621
Author(s):  
Jillian R. Scheer ◽  
John E. Pachankis ◽  
Richard Bränström

Reducing structural drivers of intimate partner violence (IPV), including gender inequity in education, employment, and health, surrounding women worldwide represents a clear public health priority. Within countries, some women are at disproportionate risk of IPV compared to other women, including sexual minority women, immigrant women, and women in poverty. However, limited research has assessed women’s IPV risk and related circumstances, including police involvement following IPV experiences and IPV-related worry, across sexual orientation, immigration status, and socioeconomic status in a population-based survey of women across countries. Further, few studies have examined IPV against minority women as a function of gender-based structural stigma. This study aimed to determine whether gender-based structural stigma is associated with IPV and related circumstances among European women; examine minority-majority IPV disparities; and assess whether structural stigma is associated with IPV disparities. We used the population-based 2012 Violence Against Women Survey ( n = 42,000) administered across 28 European Union countries: 724 (1.7%) identified as sexual minority, 841 (2.0%) as immigrant, and 2,272 (5.4%) as living in poverty. Women in high gender-based structural stigma countries had a greater risk of past-12-month IPV (AOR: 1.18, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.34) and IPV-related worry (AOR: 1.09, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.15) than women in low structural stigma countries. All minority women were at disproportionate risk of IPV and IPV-related worry compared to majority women. Associations between gender-based structural stigma and IPV and related circumstances differed across minority status. Country-level structural stigma can possibly perpetuate women’s risk of IPV and related circumstances. Associations between structural stigma and IPV and related circumstances for sexual minority women, immigrant women, and women in poverty call for research into the IPV experiences of minority populations across structural contexts.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 453-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah M. Steele ◽  
Bethany G. Everett ◽  
Tonda L. Hughes

Sexual-minority women (SMW) are believed to experience comparable or higher rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) than heterosexual women. In this study, we expand upon existing research by examining the intersectional relationships among self-perceptions of femininity and masculinity, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), and IPV. Data are obtained from the most recent wave of the longitudinal Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women study that included a diverse sample of SMW ( N = 608). We use multivariate generalized linear models to investigate self-perceptions of femininity and masculinity, race/ethnicity, and SES differences in multiple types of IPV, including moderate IPV, severe IPV, and a sexual-minority-specific measure of IPV, threat of “outing” one’s partner. Results suggest no differences across self-perceptions of femininity and masculinity in SMW’s reporting of victimization but clear differences based on race/ethnicity and SES. Implications for providing support to SMW who experience IPV and suggestions for future research are discussed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 1088-1101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Moschella ◽  
Sidney Turner ◽  
Victoria L. Banyard

Sexual assault (SA) and intimate partner violence (IPV) occur at alarming rates in the United States. Prior research indicates that victims of traumatic events frequently experience both positive and negative changes as part of their recovery process. The present study aimed to further existing research by examining the relationship between self-blame, posttraumatic growth (PTG), and happiness when controlling for posttraumatic stress and time since victimization. The current study analyzed 357 women who had experienced at least one incident of SA or IPV. We found that PTG partially mediated the relationship between self-blame and happiness, suggesting that PTG only somewhat explains the impact of self-blame on victim happiness. Implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Trujillo ◽  
Heather M. Claypool

Introduction: This work examined the role of thwarted belonging in directing reactions to intimate partner violence (IPV). We tested two competing hypotheses. First, we offered the Insensitivity Hypothesis, which argued that excluded (compared to control) participants would indicate they were comfortable and willing to remain in an abusive relationship longer, an effect likely mediated by reduced relational needs. Second, we offered the Hypersensitivity Hypothesis, which argued that excluded (compared to control) participants would indicate they were uncomfortable and willing to leave an abusive relationship earlier, an effect likely mediated by activation of hostile cognitions. Methods: To test these, female participants underwent an exclusion or non-exclusion experience, completed measures of the hypothesized mediators, and then read a vignette describing a heterosexual romantic relationship that slowly turned more abusive. Participants took the perspective of the female victim and indicated when they would feel uncomfortable in the relationship and leave the relationship. Results: Results partially supported the Insensitivity Hypothesis, as exclusion (relative to control) lowered relational needs, and lowered relational needs predicted later desires to exit the relationship (no significant effects emerged for discomfort onset). Discussion: Implications of these findings for the belonging and IPV literatures are discussed.


2010 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 787-798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corrine Williams ◽  
Ulla Larsen ◽  
Laura Ann McCloskey

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and adult intimate partner violence (IPV) have both been found to be associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) independently, but studies of STIs have rarely looked at victimization during both childhood and adulthood. This paper examines the relationship between CSA, IPV and STIs using data from a nested casecontrol study of 309 women recruited from multiple health care settings. Overall, 37.3% of women experienced no violence, 10.3% experienced CSA only, 27.3% experienced IPV only, and 25.0% experienced both CSA and IPV. Having ever been diagnosed with an STI was associated with violence (CSA only, odds ratios [OR] = 2.8, 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 1.0–7.5; IPV only, OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.0–4.9; CSA and IPV: OR = 4.0, 95% CI = 1.7–9.4), controlling for demographic characteristics. Women who experienced CSA were younger when they were first diagnosed. Understanding how both childhood and adult victimization are associated with diagnosis of STIs is important to reducing the incidence and prevalence of STIs, as well as the associated consequences of STIs.


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