title: Understanding Patterns of Intimate Partner Abuse in Male-Male, Male-Female, and Female-Female Couples.
abstract: Intimate Partner Abuse (IPA), a major social problem, can lead to mental health conditions and is implicated in 30 % of female and 5 % of male homicide deaths. We hypothesized that due to distinct relationship structures and power dynamics which are immersed in varying sociocultural contexts, victims of male-male, female-female and female-male dyads experience different patterns of IPA. Our objectives were: (1) To examine the demographic and clinical characteristics of victims of male victim-male abuser (M-M), female victim-male abuser (F-M), male victim-female abuser (M-F), and female victim-female abuser (F-F) dyads. (2) To compare patterns of IPA reported by the victims in these groups. Out of 397 subjects in the general population that attempted this Internet-based study, 214 English-speaking subjects were older than 18 years, had experienced IPA, and provided complete information for the analysis. Victims of IPA were screened and specific methods of abuse were evaluated. M-Ms were significantly more educated (70 %) than other groups. F-Fs experienced more abuse before age 18 by a parent or relative. F-Fs experienced the most physical abuse while M-Ms the least (p = 0.004). Physical abuse or threats of abuse in front of children was reported more in F-Fs (p < 0.01) and least in M-Ms. IPA patterns differ significantly with F-Fs presenting the most physical profile and M-Ms presenting the least.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Maimonides Medical Center, 4802 Tenth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11219, USA.|Fondation Fondamental, Pôle de Psychiatrie Hôpital "Albert Chenevier", Pavilion Hartmann, 1er étage, 94000, Créteil, Ile de France, France.
authors.forename: Alexandru
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gaman
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Maimonides Medical Center, 4802 Tenth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11219, USA.|New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Scot
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McAfee
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Maimonides Medical Center, 4802 Tenth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11219, USA.|Albert Einstein School of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Homel
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Maimonides Medical Center, 4802 Tenth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11219, USA. tjacob@maimonidesmed.org.
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2654-5071
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jacob
mesh_terms: D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D000066511:Intimate Partner Violence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000072339:Sexual and Gender Minorities / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Aggression; Domestic violence; Gay; Heterosexual; Homosexual; Intimate partner abuse; Lesbian; Psychiatric disorders