The complex trauma of psychological violence: cross-sectional findings from a Cohort of four Danish Women Shelters.

Background: Psychological trauma has only recently been considered a traumatic event. Therefore, research on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex-PTSD following exposure to psychological violence, is less studied compared with physical and sexual violence. Objectives: This study aimed to establish the prevalence of PTSD and C-PTSD of among female victims of partner violence (IPV) and examine the unique association between different subtypes of IPV (i.e. physical, psychological and sexual IPV) and the traumatic response. Methods: The study includes a shelter-based sample of female victims of IPV (N = 147). Validated measures were used to estimate IPV exposure and mental health outcomes. Partial Correlation and Hierarchical Regression was used to examine the association between IPV and PTSD and C-PTSD, respectively. Results: The study found a high prevalence of both PTSD (56.5%) and C-PTSD (21.1%) in the sample. Overall, when controlling for the other types of violence, psychological violence correlated with PTSD, C-PTSD, negative affect and somatization. When controlling for psychological violence, neither physical nor sexual violence correlated with any of the mental health outcomes. Hierarchical regression models helped explain 23.5% and 29.7% of the variance in symptoms of PTSD and C-PTSD, respectively. Conclusion: A relatively large subgroup of the women had symptoms of C-PTSD, which demonstrate a potentially unmet need for trauma-informed treatment services in Danish Women Shelters. Psychological violence was found to be the strongest risk factor for all mental health outcomes and thus, it is important to acknowledge the severity of this IPV subtype.

Antecedentes: El trauma psicológico sólo recientemente ha sido considerado un evento traumático. Por lo tanto, la investigación sobre el Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático (TEPT) y el TEPT Complejo tras la exposición a la violencia psicológica, está menos estudiada en comparación con la violencia física y sexual.Objetivos: El objetivo de este estudio fue establecer la prevalencia del TEPT y el TEP-C entre las mujeres víctimas de la violencia de pareja (IVP, en siglas en inglés) y examinar la asociación distintiva entre los diferentes subtipos de IVP (es decir, IVP físico, psicológico y sexual) y la respuesta traumática.Métodos: El estudio incluye una muestra basada en refugios para mujeres víctimas de IVP (N = 147). Se utilizaron medidas validadas para estimar la exposición a la IVP y los resultados de salud mental. Se utilizó la correlación parcial y la regresión jerárquica para examinar la asociación entre la IVP y el TEPT y el TEPT-C, respectivamente.Resultados: El estudio encontró una alta prevalencia tanto de TEPT (56,5%) como de TEPC (21,1%) en la muestra. En general, al controlar los otros tipos de violencia, la violencia psicológica se correlacionó con el TEPT, el TEPT-C, el afecto negativo y la somatización. Al controlar la violencia psicológica, ni la violencia física ni la sexual se correlacionaron con ninguno de los resultados de salud mental. Los modelos de regresión jerárquica ayudaron a explicar el 23,5% y el 29,7% de la variación en los síntomas del TEPT y el TEPT-C, respectivamente.Conclusión: Un subgrupo relativamente grande de mujeres tenía síntomas de TEPTC, lo que demuestra una necesidad potencialmente no cubierta de servicios de tratamiento con información en traumas en los refugios de mujeres danesas. Se comprobó que la violencia psicológica era el factor de riesgo más fuerte para todos los resultados de salud mental y, por lo tanto, es importante reconocer la gravedad de este subtipo de IVP.

A latent class analysis to identify how patterns of Intimate Partner Violence influence Early Childhood Development outcomes in Honduras.

BACKGROUND: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) against women is a complex phenomenon with long-term consequences for victims and their families. OBJECTIVE: The goals of this study are two-fold: to identify common patterns of co-occurring and/or successive experiences with IPV; and to study the association between these IPV patterns and outcomes of Early Childhood Development (ECD) among the victim's children. DATA AND PARTICIPANTS: Data was obtained from the 2011-12 Honduras Demographic Health Survey (DHS). METHODS: A Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was conducted to define homogeneous patterns of experiences with IPV in terms of the type, severity, timing of the last event, and perpetrator of the violence. Outcomes of interest were binary variables indicating if a child is developmentally on track according to the ECD index and its four domains. LCA with distal outcomes and multivariate logistic regressions were used to measure the association between IPV patterns and ECD outcomes. RESULTS: Five patterns of lifetime experiences with IPV were identified: (1)"no violence"; (2)"physical and sexual violence by an ex-partner"; (3)"current emotional violence"; (4)"current controlling, emotional and physical violence"; and (5)"past controlling, emotional and physical violence". Multivariate results show that children were less likely to be developmentally on track if their mothers were exposed to patterns of "physical and sexual violence by an ex-partner" or "current controlling, emotional and physical violence", relative to children whose mothers had not experienced violence. Further analysis of specific ECDI domains suggested that IPV hampers children's socioemotional development, but it is not associated with other domains of ECD. CONCLUSION: Experiencing a pattern of co-occurrent forms of IPV negatively influences ECD and the socio-emotional development of the victim's children in low and middle-income countries. This study provides initial evidence about the complexity of this phenomenon and its long-lasting sequels.

Prisoners of suffering: perception of women on violence practiced by intimate partners.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the perceptions of women, prisoners or partners of imprisoned men who experience/experienced intimate partner violence, and how they cope with this situation. METHOD: a descriptive exploratory study with a qualitative approach conducted with 21 women. Empirical data collected between March and August 2018, through audio-recorded semi-structured interviews, were submitted to thematic content analysis. RESULTS: women reported experiencing different forms of violence, which triggered suffering and negative commitment in their lives, far beyond the act itself, especially by the emotional and physical marks and their consequences. They also realize that coping with violence is individual responsibility, lived in the counterpoint between the desire to overcome it and passivity. Final considerations: intimate partner violence was uniquely revealed by women as a solitary experience, with permanent consequences in the physical, emotional, patrimonial, sexual and moral spheres, and limited internal and external resources make it difficult to cope with it.

Classes of Intimate Partner Violence From Late Adolescence to Young Adulthood.

Researchers do not agree on how intimate partner violence (IPV) emerges and changes from adolescence to young adulthood. This may be because change in these behaviors varies across individuals. The present study uses a longitudinal, person-centered approach to examine whether there are multiple classes or patterns of change in the perpetration of IPV during the transitional period from adolescence (age 18) to young adulthood (age 25) using data collected annually from a community sample of 484 participants. Latent class analysis was the analytic approach used. Results revealed three patterns for psychological IPV (Little-to-None, Minor/Increasing, and Extensive/Increasing) and two patterns for physical IPV (Little-to-None and Extensive). Patterns varied greatly in number of representatives, although they were more balanced in size for psychological than physical IPV. Variations in IPV behaviors were also revealed across classes, although as expected in a community sample, minor forms of IPV were more common than severe forms. In addition, classes differed in demographic and relationship status variables. These findings suggest that IPV may occur in multiple distinct patterns as opposed to one average pattern across a population. This suggests that interventions for IPV may need to be geared to differences in patterns to enhance their efficacy.

Violence against women and its association with the intimate partner's profile: a study with primary care users. / Violência contra a mulher e sua associação com o perfil do parceiro íntimo: estudo com usuárias da atenção primária.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the association between the history of violence against women and the socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics of intimate partners. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 938 women using basic health care, aged between 20 and 59 years, who at the time of the interview had an intimate partner. Information about the sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics of the intimate partner were collected, as well as the WHO VAW Study instrument for tracking the psychological, physical and sexual violence experienced in the past year. A bivariate analysis was performed using the Pearson c2 test and multivariate analysis using Poisson regression with robust variance. RESULTS: The highest prevalences of psychological, physical and sexual violence were significantly associated with partners who had no occupation and who refused to use condoms in sexual relationships. Men who were considered controllers and who consumed alcoholic beverages were associated with greater perpetration of psychological and physical violence (p < 0.05). Partners with up to eight years of schooling present a higher frequency of psychological violence (PR = 1.32, 95%CI 1.05 - 1.66), while sexual violence was significantly higher among women whose partners smoked: 1.94, 95%CI 1.11 - 3.38). CONCLUSIONS: These data highlight the importance of health professionals, work together in other sectors such as education and safety, dealing with alcohol and other drugs, as well as addressing issues of gender.

OBJETIVO: Verificar associação entre a história de violência contra a mulher e características sociodemográficas e comportamentais do parceiro íntimo. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado com 938 mulheres usuárias da atenção básica de saúde, com idade entre 20 e 59 anos e que no momento da entrevista possuíam parceiro íntimo. Foram coletadas informações sobre as características sociodemográficas e comportamentais, do parceiro íntimo, bem como foi aplicado o instrumento World Health Organization Violence Against Woman (WHO VAW Study) para o rastreamento da violência psicológica, física e sexual vivenciada no último ano. Foi realizada análise bivariada, por meio do teste do c2 de Pearson, e multivariada usando regressão de Poisson com variância robusta. RESULTADOS: As maiores prevalências de violência psicológica, física e sexual estiveram significativamente associadas aos parceiros que não possuíam ocupação e que recusaram o uso do preservativo nas relações sexuais. Homens que foram considerados controladores e que ingeriam bebida alcoólica estiveram associados a maior perpetração de violência psicológica e física (p < 0,05). Parceiros com até 8 anos de escolaridade apresentam maior frequência de prática de violência psicológica (RP = 1,32; IC95% 1,05 - 1,66), enquanto a violência sexual foi significativamente maior entre as mulheres cujos parceiros fumavam (RP = 1,94; IC95% 1,11 - 3,38). CONCLUSÕES: Esses dados evidenciam a importância de os profissionais de saúde atuarem juntamente a outros setores, tais como educação e segurança, no enfrentamento ao álcool e outras drogas, bem como na abordagem das questões de gênero.

Violencia de pareja y enfermedad mental / Intimate partner violence and mental illness

La violencia de pareja es un grave problema de violación de los derechos humanos, de trascendencia mundial con repercusiones sociales, familiares, económicas y judiciales. Analizamos los estudios realizados con el objetivo de describir tipologías de maltratadores para valorar el riesgo de reincidencia y el tratamiento. La prevalencia de enfermedades mentales graves en general es baja. Presentan con mucha frecuencia déficits psicológicos, como pérdida de control sobre la ira, dificultades de expresión de las emociones y distorsiones cognitivas sobre la mujer y la relación de pareja. El abuso de alcohol, los trastornos de personalidad, los celos patológicos y la depresión son probablemente los trastornos psicopatológicos más frecuentes. El homicidio es la violencia más grave, pero infrecuente y difícil de predecir. Las ideas suicidas del agresor son un predictor del homicidio de pareja. Finalmente, se revisa la valoración del riesgo de violencia de pareja, para poder prevenir y gestionar el riesgo

Intimate partner violence is a serious violation of human rights of great global importance with social, family, economic and legal repercussions. We analysed the studies that describe abuser typologies that can help us assess the risk of recidivism and treatment. The prevalence of serious mental illnesses in general is low. Batterers often have psychological deficits such as loss of control over anger, difficulties in expressing emotions and cognitive distortions about women and their relationship. Alcohol abuse, personality disorders, pathological jealousy and depression are probably the most frequent psychopathological disorders. Homicide is the most serious act of violence, but it is infrequent and difficult to predict. Suicidal ideation must be considered as an important risk factor for intimate partner homicide. Finally, we review intimate partner violence risk assessment in order to prevent and manage the risk

Intimate Partner Violence in Urban, Rural, and Remote Areas: An Investigation of Offense Severity and Risk Factors.

This study compared the severity of intimate partner violence (IPV) and the relationship between risk factors for IPV and overall risk judgments of future IPV in urban, rural, and remote areas. IPV risk assessments conducted by the Swedish police between 2010 and 2014 in urban ( n = 564), rural ( n = 456), and remote ( n = 196) areas were examined. Rurality was associated with the severity of IPV reported, as well as the presence of risk factors and their relationship to overall risk judgments. Cases in remote areas included more severe IPV as well as more risk factors.

Expanding and Validating a Typology of Intimate Partner Violence: Intersections of Violence and Control Within Relationships.

This research explored an expanded typology of intimate partner violence (IPV), intersecting violent and controlling behaviors of partners. Secondary data were analyzed ( n = 714). Cluster analyses indicated that elements of IPV (control perpetration, control victimization, violence victimization, and violence perpetration) all clustered in high/low patterns, which intersected to form 10 unique categories of IPV. Support for all of Johnson's categories of IPV was found, but there was also evidence for the three control-related categories: Unidirectional Control, Bidirectional Control, and Control Resistance. This expanded typology can move research, practice, and policies beyond the gender symmetry debate.

Taxonomía de los homicidios de mujeres en las relaciones de pareja / Taxonomy of homicides of women in intimate partner relationships

La prevención de la violencia contra la pareja supone un problema que ha suscitado gran interés a nivel internacional. El homicidio de pareja es el exponente más grave, aunque su prevalencia sea baja y su etiología compleja. Este trabajo revisa brevemente la descripción del problema desde la perspectiva de género y la existencia de asimetría, la perspectiva de la violencia y su descripción de factores de riesgo diferenciales y el modelo ecológico que relaciona variables personales, contextuales y comunitarias, presentando una propuesta más integradora. Se describen los estudios que analizan y comparan perfiles de homicidas, así como la situación en materia de evaluación del riesgo, todo ello con especial atención a las implicaciones para el contexto español. Por último, por su relevancia se discute la existencia de tipologías de homicidas y perfiles más próximos a patrones o dinámicas suicidas (en los homicidios diádicos y los familicidios). La información disponible pone de manifiesto la necesidad de ampliar el estudio de los homicidas de pareja y la dificultad de anticipar muchos de estos casos

Intimate partner violence prevention is a challenge that has received wide international interest. Homicide is the most serious result of this type of violence, although its prevalence is low and its etiology is complex. This paper briefly reviews the description of the problem from a gender perspective and the existence of asymmetry, the perspective of violence and its description of differential risk factors, and the ecological model that connects personal, contextual, and societal variables, presenting a more integrative proposal. Studies analyzing and comparing homicide profiles are described, as well as the state of the art regarding risk assessment, with special attention to the implications for the Spanish context. Finally, due to its relevance, the existence of typologies of homicides as well as profiles closer to suicidal patterns are discussed (in dyadic homicides and familicides). The available information highlights the need to expand the study of intimate partner homicides and the difficulty of anticipating many of these cases

[Intimate partner violence: treatment profile in urgent and emergency care services in Brazilian state capitals, 2014]. / Violência por parceiro íntimo: perfil dos atendimentos em serviços de urgência e emergência nas capitais dos estados brasileiros, 2014.

The study aimed to describe the treatment profile for victims of intimate partner violence in urgent and emergency care services in the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) and to investigate differences between the sexes. A descriptive study was performed with data from a survey performed by the System for Surveillance of Accidents and Violence (VIVA Survey), conducted in 86 urgent and emergency care services in 25 state capitals in 2014. All 506 cases of intimate partner violence were included, with 69.9% female victims and 65% from 20 to 39 years of age. Black individuals predominated (70% of females and 82.8% of males, p = 0.005). Lack of paid work was more frequent in female victims (50.4%) compared to males (24.1%), while alcohol consumption was more frequent in males (47.9%) compared to females (21.9%) (p < 0.001). The most common means of aggression against female victims was physical force or beating (70.9%), followed by use of sharp objects (14.5%), while for male victims it was sharp objects (48.7%), followed by physical force or beating (31.6%). Male individuals were identified as the aggressors by 97.6% of the female victims and 11.8% of the males (p < 0.001). The victim's residence was the main site of violence (69.6% of female victims and 74.4% of males; p = 0.622). Most victims were females, while most aggressors were males. Differences between the sexes may reflect cultural patterns and emphasize the need to investigate gender in addition to biological sex.

O estudo teve como objetivo descrever o perfil dos atendimentos a vítimas de violência por parceiro íntimo em serviços de urgência e emergência vinculados ao Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e investigar diferenças entre os sexos. Foi realizado estudo descritivo com dados do inquérito que compõe o Sistema de Vigilância de Acidentes e Violências (VIVA Inquérito), realizado em 86 serviços de urgência e emergência de 25 capitais, em 2014. Foram incluídos todos os 506 casos de violência por parceiro íntimo, 69,9% do sexo feminino e 65% de 20 a 39 anos de idade. Em ambos os sexos, predominaram pessoas de cor da pele negra (70% no feminino e 82,8% no masculino, p = 0,005). A ausência de atividade remunerada foi mais frequente entre indivíduos do sexo feminino (50,4%), em relação ao masculino (24,1%), enquanto o consumo de bebida alcoólica foi mais frequente no sexo masculino (47,9%) em comparação ao feminino (21,9%) (p < 0,001). O meio de agressão mais frequente entre as vítimas do sexo feminino foi força corporal/espancamento (70,9%), seguido por objeto perfurocortante (14,5%), enquanto naquelas do sexo masculino, foi objeto perfurocortante (48,7%), seguido por força corporal/espancamento (31,6%). Indivíduos do sexo masculino foram apontados como agressores por 97,6% das vítimas do feminino e 11,8% do masculino (p < 0,001). A residência foi o principal local de ocorrência das violências (69,6% no sexo feminino e 74,4% no masculino; p = 0,622). A maioria das vítimas era do sexo feminino, enquanto o sexo masculino se destacou entre os agressores. As diferenças encontradas entre os sexos possivelmente refletem padrões culturais e evidenciam a necessidade de investigar o gênero, além do sexo biológico.

El estudio tuvo como objetivo describir el perfil de la atención a víctimas de violencia de género en servicios de urgencia y emergencia, vinculados al Sistema Único de Salud (SUS), e investigar diferencias entre sexos. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo con datos de la investigación que forma parte del Sistema de Vigilancia de Accidentes y Violencia (Encuesta VIVA), realizado en 86 servicios de urgencias y emergencias de 25 capitales, en 2014. Se incluyeron 506 casos de violencia de género, un 69,9% del sexo femenino, con un 65% de entre 20 a 39 años de edad. En ambos sexos, predominaron personas con color de piel negro (70% en el caso femenino y 82,8% en el masculino, p = 0,005). La ausencia de actividad remunerada fue más frecuente entre individuos del sexo femenino (50,4%), en relación con el masculino (24,1%), mientras el consumo de bebida alcohólica fue más frecuente en el sexo masculino (47,9%), en comparación con el femenino (21,9%) (p < 0,001). El medio de agresión más frecuente con las víctimas del sexo femenino fue la fuerza corporal/golpes (70,9%), seguido del objeto cortopunzante (14,5%), mientras que con las del sexo masculino, fue objeto punzante (48,7%), seguido de fuerza corporal/golpes (31,6%). Individuos del sexo masculino fueron señalados como agresores por un 97,6% de las víctimas del femenino y un 11,8% del masculino (p < 0,001). La residencia fue el principal lugar de ocurrencia de las violencias (69,6% en el sexo femenino y 74,4% en el masculino; p = 0,622). La mayoría de las víctimas era de sexo femenino, mientras el sexo masculino se destacó entre los agresores. Las diferencias encontradas entre los sexos posiblemente reflejan patrones culturales y evidencian la necesidad de investigar el género, además del sexo biológico.

Violência por parceiro íntimo: perfil dos atendimentos em serviços de urgência e emergência nas capitais dos estados brasileiros, 2014 / Intimate partner violence: treatment profile in urgent and emergency care services in Brazilian state capitals, 2014 / Violencia de género: perfil de atención en servicios de urgencia y emergencia en las capitales de estados brasileños, 2014

Resumo: O estudo teve como objetivo descrever o perfil dos atendimentos a vítimas de violência por parceiro íntimo em serviços de urgência e emergência vinculados ao Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e investigar diferenças entre os sexos. Foi realizado estudo descritivo com dados do inquérito que compõe o Sistema de Vigilância de Acidentes e Violências (VIVA Inquérito), realizado em 86 serviços de urgência e emergência de 25 capitais, em 2014. Foram incluídos todos os 506 casos de violência por parceiro íntimo, 69,9% do sexo feminino e 65% de 20 a 39 anos de idade. Em ambos os sexos, predominaram pessoas de cor da pele negra (70% no feminino e 82,8% no masculino, p = 0,005). A ausência de atividade remunerada foi mais frequente entre indivíduos do sexo feminino (50,4%), em relação ao masculino (24,1%), enquanto o consumo de bebida alcoólica foi mais frequente no sexo masculino (47,9%) em comparação ao feminino (21,9%) (p < 0,001). O meio de agressão mais frequente entre as vítimas do sexo feminino foi força corporal/espancamento (70,9%), seguido por objeto perfurocortante (14,5%), enquanto naquelas do sexo masculino, foi objeto perfurocortante (48,7%), seguido por força corporal/espancamento (31,6%). Indivíduos do sexo masculino foram apontados como agressores por 97,6% das vítimas do feminino e 11,8% do masculino (p < 0,001). A residência foi o principal local de ocorrência das violências (69,6% no sexo feminino e 74,4% no masculino; p = 0,622). A maioria das vítimas era do sexo feminino, enquanto o sexo masculino se destacou entre os agressores. As diferenças encontradas entre os sexos possivelmente refletem padrões culturais e evidenciam a necessidade de investigar o gênero, além do sexo biológico.

Abstract: The study aimed to describe the treatment profile for victims of intimate partner violence in urgent and emergency care services in the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) and to investigate differences between the sexes. A descriptive study was performed with data from a survey performed by the System for Surveillance of Accidents and Violence (VIVA Survey), conducted in 86 urgent and emergency care services in 25 state capitals in 2014. All 506 cases of intimate partner violence were included, with 69.9% female victims and 65% from 20 to 39 years of age. Black individuals predominated (70% of females and 82.8% of males, p = 0.005). Lack of paid work was more frequent in female victims (50.4%) compared to males (24.1%), while alcohol consumption was more frequent in males (47.9%) compared to females (21.9%) (p < 0.001). The most common means of aggression against female victims was physical force or beating (70.9%), followed by use of sharp objects (14.5%), while for male victims it was sharp objects (48.7%), followed by physical force or beating (31.6%). Male individuals were identified as the aggressors by 97.6% of the female victims and 11.8% of the males (p < 0.001). The victim's residence was the main site of violence (69.6% of female victims and 74.4% of males; p = 0.622). Most victims were females, while most aggressors were males. Differences between the sexes may reflect cultural patterns and emphasize the need to investigate gender in addition to biological sex.

Resumen: El estudio tuvo como objetivo describir el perfil de la atención a víctimas de violencia de género en servicios de urgencia y emergencia, vinculados al Sistema Único de Salud (SUS), e investigar diferencias entre sexos. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo con datos de la investigación que forma parte del Sistema de Vigilancia de Accidentes y Violencia (Encuesta VIVA), realizado en 86 servicios de urgencias y emergencias de 25 capitales, en 2014. Se incluyeron 506 casos de violencia de género, un 69,9% del sexo femenino, con un 65% de entre 20 a 39 años de edad. En ambos sexos, predominaron personas con color de piel negro (70% en el caso femenino y 82,8% en el masculino, p = 0,005). La ausencia de actividad remunerada fue más frecuente entre individuos del sexo femenino (50,4%), en relación con el masculino (24,1%), mientras el consumo de bebida alcohólica fue más frecuente en el sexo masculino (47,9%), en comparación con el femenino (21,9%) (p < 0,001). El medio de agresión más frecuente con las víctimas del sexo femenino fue la fuerza corporal/golpes (70,9%), seguido del objeto cortopunzante (14,5%), mientras que con las del sexo masculino, fue objeto punzante (48,7%), seguido de fuerza corporal/golpes (31,6%). Individuos del sexo masculino fueron señalados como agresores por un 97,6% de las víctimas del femenino y un 11,8% del masculino (p < 0,001). La residencia fue el principal lugar de ocurrencia de las violencias (69,6% en el sexo femenino y 74,4% en el masculino; p = 0,622). La mayoría de las víctimas era de sexo femenino, mientras el sexo masculino se destacó entre los agresores. Las diferencias encontradas entre los sexos posiblemente reflejan patrones culturales y evidencian la necesidad de investigar el género, además del sexo biológico.

[Intimate partner violence. Types and risk in primary care health users in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico]. / Violencia de pareja: tipo y riesgos en usuarias de atención primaria de salud en Cancún, Quintana Roo, México.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence and type of intimate partner violence in women assigned at primary care health and estimates the risks for violence. DESIGN: Case (incident cases)-control. LOCATION: Primary health care unit in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico. PARTICIPANTS: Women over 18years old living in couple at last 12months. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Validated violence scale for Mexican population was evaluated: total partner violence, physical, psychological and sexual violence. History of violence and sociodemographic variables. Chi square for categorical variables and odds ratio (OR) for risk estimate was determined. RESULTS: The total intimate partner violence was 15.05%, psychological violence in 37.3%. Overall violence, age differences, socioeconomic status, marital status, history of violence and alcohol intake by the partner (P<.05) were observed. The risk increased in over 40 years old (OR: 2.09; 95%CI: 1.07 to 4.11), history of violence (OR: 5.9; 95%CI: 2.8 to 12.44) and alcohol intake by partner (OR=12.38; 95%CI: 2.15 to 29.59). Low socioeconomic status (OR: 0.384; 95%CI: 0.19 to 0.74) and free union (OR: 0.507; 95%CI: 0.27 to 0.95) were relation factors to lower intimate violence partner. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual violence predominated among users of primary health care and the risk that present this behavior increases with the consumption of alcoholic beverages in the couple and a history of violence, but the free union and socioeconomic status were possibility protected for violence.

Short-Term Interventions for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) impacts millions of adults and children every year and can result in homicide, legal proceedings, the involvement of child welfare, and the need for emergency shelter for survivors and their families. Survivors of IPV may develop psychological and somatic symptoms to the trauma, including anxiety, depression, and other mental health related disorders in addition to facing numerous safety, financial, and social challenges. To reestablish stability, effective short-term interventions are needed in order to address these issues survivors face. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarizes the extant literature on short-term interventions for survivors of IPV. Twenty-one studies are included in the analysis and overall effect sizes calculations and moderator analysis were conducted. On average, effects sizes were large (g = 1.02) suggesting that most sort-term interventions are effective, however CBT-based interventions that were tailored to IPV survivors achieved the largest effect sizes. Results of this study are presented in a question and answer format with the intent to guide practitioners, researchers and policy makers. IPV survivors access services in a variety of shelter and outpatient settings and present diverse needs. Although this study contributes a systematic review of the existing literature on IPV, there are relatively few rigorous outcome studies and even fewer that reflect the diversity in this population and the complexity of responding to IPV in real-world settings.

The Dating Violence Questionnaire: Validation of the Cuestionario de Violencia de Novios Using a College Sample From the United States.

This study provides psychometric information for the Dating Violence Questionnaire (DVQ), an instrument developed to assess intimate partner victimization among adolescents and youths. This instrument, an English version of Cuestionario de Violencia de Novios, assesses both frequency and discomfort associated with 8 types of abuse (detachment, humiliation, sexual, coercion, physical, gender-based, emotional punishment, and instrumental). Participant included 859 U.S. students enrolled in undergraduate psychology courses in a mid-Atlantic university (M = 19 years; SD = 1.5 years). One-third of the participants were males, and two-thirds were females. Regarding racial identity, around 55% of participants identified themselves as White, 22% as African American, 12% as Asian, whereas 11% selected other identities. Around 9% of participants identified themselves as Hispanic. Confirmatory factor analysis shows that the DVQ achieved adequate goodness-of-fit indexes for the original eight-factor model (X(2)/df <5; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] <.080), as well as higher parsimony when compared to simpler alternative models. The 8 scales demonstrated acceptable internal consistency indexes (α >.700), surpassing those found in the original Spanish validation. Descriptive analysis suggests higher victimization experience on subtle aggressions (detachment, coercion, and emotional punishment), with overt abuses (physical, instrumental) obtaining the smallest means; these findings were similar across gender, race identity, and ethnicity. Results of this validation study encourage the inclusion of DVQ in both research and applied contexts.

Using complexity science to examine three dynamic patterns of intimate partner violence.

INTRODUCTION: The partner violence literature describes 3 dominant models of dynamics of partner aggression: cycle of violence, family systems theory, and Duluth model (power and control wheel). Complexity science describes 3 patterns of system dynamics: periodic, chaotic, and random. Are these parallel patterns? In this analysis, investigators calculated dynamic patterns (periodic, chaotic, and random) using 84 daily reports of male-to-female aggression and assessed the "fit" between time-series-derived patterns of male partners' violent behaviors and literature-based models of violence dynamics. METHOD: Participants were 200 women in moderately violent intimate relationships who completed a telephone survey about their relationships every day for 12 weeks. They also completed baseline and end-of-study surveys and maintained telephone contact with the study team weekly. Of 200 participants, 135 women provided enough data to be assigned to period, chaotic, or random groups. RESULTS: Group membership included 16 women in periodic, 40 in chaotic, and 79 in random groups. Consistent with the cycle of violence, periodic women found violence to be predictable and controllable. Consistent with the Duluth model, women in the random group found violence to be unpredictable and out of their control, occurring with high frequency. The chaotic group had the lowest frequency and severity of violence, lowest stress and arguments, and the highest marital satisfaction. DISCUSSION: The most common dynamic pattern in partner violence is random, which exhibits high frequency and unpredictability of aggression. Complexity science suggests interventions in random systems have unpredictable outcomes, posing great challenges for clinicians who work with victims of violence.

In Search of Teen Dating Violence Typologies.

PURPOSE: The goal of the present research was to identify distinct latent classes of adolescents that commit teen dating violence (TDV) and assess differences on demographic, behavioral, and attitudinal correlates. METHODS: Boys and girls (N = 1,149; Mage = 14.3; Grades 6-12) with a history of violence exposure completed surveys assessing six indices of TDV in the preceding 3 months. Indices of TDV included controlling behaviors, psychological TDV, physical TDV, sexual TDV, fear/intimidation, and injury. In addition, adolescents provided demographic and dating history information and completed surveys assessing attitudes condoning violence, relationship skills and knowledge, and reactive/proactive aggression. RESULTS: Latent class analysis indicated a three-class solution wherein the largest class of students was nonviolent on all indices ("nonaggressors") and the smallest class of students demonstrated high probability of nearly all indices of TDV ("multiform aggressors"). In addition, a third class of "emotional aggressors" existed for which there was a high probability of controlling and psychological TDV but low likelihood of any other form of TDV. Multiform aggressors were differentiated from emotional and nonaggressors on the use of self-defense in dating relationships, attitudes condoning violence, and proactive aggression. Emotional aggressors were distinguished from nonaggressors on nearly all measured covariates. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence indicates that different subgroups of adolescents engaging in TDV exist. In particular, a small group of youth engaging in multiple forms of TDV can be distinguished from a larger group of youth that commit acts of TDV restricted to emotional aggression (i.e., controlling and psychological) and most youth that do not engage in TDV.

The Clinical and Radiological Examination of Acute Intimate Partner Violence Injuries: A Retrospective Analysis of an Italian Cohort of Women.

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is the most frequent type of violence against women. We compared clinical and radiological IPV characteristics to stranger assault (SA). METHODS: We retrospectively identified 123 women with IPV from court reports and matched them to 124 SA. Clinical and radiological characteristics were evaluated by testing their sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for IPV, and the strength of their association with IPV. RESULTS: IPV women referred with more delay to the emergency department (ED), had more ED accesses, and showed more mismatch between reports to the triage and disclosures to the ED physician. They also displayed more head, neck, and face injuries, and new-plus-old fractures. CONCLUSION: The identification of specific features may help ED physicians to suspect IPV.

Correlates and program completion of family only and generally violent perpetrators of intimate partner violence / Correlatos y adherencia al tratamiento de maltratadores de pareja: agresores generalizados vs. sólo dentro de la familia

The present study examined correlates and program completion rates of Family only violent (FO) versus Generally violent (GV) male perpetrators of intimate partner violence mandated to batterer intervention programs. Probation records of 456 men sentenced to probation in Lake County, Illinois between 2006 and 2008 were examined, and the men were categorized as FO (n= 269) or GV (n= 187) by graduate student raters. GV men were younger, had more extensive criminal histories, greater substance use, and greater demographic risk factors related to education and employment. GV men were less likely to complete a mandated partner abuse intervention program and were deemed by probation officers to be at higher risk to reoffend as compared to FO men, even after controlling for racial differences. These findings highlight the utility of a reliable, easy to administer dichotomous categorization system for probation officers to use to differentiate between FO vs. GV men that had differential correlates and was associated with differential program completion rates. Implications for treatment of partner violent men are discussed

Se examinaron los correlatos y nivel de adherencia al tratamiento de agresores masculinos de violencia contra su pareja, clasificados como generalmente agresivos (GV) y agresivos sólo dentro de la familia (FO), sentenciados a completar programas de intervención. Se examinaron los archivos de 456 hombres en libertad condicionada en Lake County, Illinois, entre los años 2006 y 2008, y fueron categorizados como FO (n= 269) o GV (n= 187). Los hombres GV eran más jóvenes, con historiales criminales más extensos, mayor consumo de sustancias y factores demográficos de mayor riesgo relacionados con la educación y el empleo. Mostraron menos probabilidad de completar un programa de intervención obligatorio y mayor riesgo de reincidir en comparación a los hombres FO, aun cuando se controlaron diferencias de raza. Se resalta la utilidad de un sistema de categorización dicotómico, fiable y de uso sencillo para que oficiales de libertad condicionada distingan entre hombres FO y GV con correlatos diferenciados y asociados a distintos niveles de adherencia al tratamiento. Se discuten las implicaciones para la intervención con agresores de su pareja intima

Enhanced definitions of intimate partner violence for DSM-5 and ICD-11 may promote improved screening and treatment.

Nuanced, multifaceted, and content valid diagnostic criteria for intimate partner violence (IPV) have been created and can be used reliably in the field even by those with little-to-no clinical training/background. The use of such criteria such as these would likely lead to more reliable decision making in the field and more consistency across studies. Further, interrater agreement was higher than that usually reported for individual mental disorders. This paper will provide an overview of (a) IPV's scope and impact; (b) the reliable and valid diagnostic criteria that have been used and the adaptation of these criteria inserted in the latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and another adaptation proposed for the forthcoming International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD); (c) suggestions for screening of IPV in primary care settings; (d) interventions for IPV; and (e) suggested steps toward globally accepted programs.

Types of Adolescent Male Dating Violence Against Women, Self-Esteem, and Justification of Dominance and Aggression.

The recognition of the seriousness of intimate partner violence (IPV) and the need to prevent it has led to the study of its inception in relationships established in adolescence. This study uses latent class analysis to establish a typology of male adolescents based on self-reports of violence against a girl in dating relationships. The participants were 4,147 boys in Spain aged 14 to 18 years from a probabilistic sample. Four discrete, identifiable groups were derived based on 12 indicators of emotional abuse, intimidation, coercion, threats, physical violence, and violence transmitted via communication technologies. The first group consists of non-violent adolescent boys. A second group comprises those boys who isolate and control their partners. Boys who exert only medium-level emotional abuse form the third group, whereas the fourth is formed by teenage boys who frequently engage in all types of violence. Compared with the non-violent adolescents in a multinomial logistic regression, the other groups show lower self-esteem and display a greater justification of male dominance and IPV against women; greater justification of aggression in conflict resolution; they have also received more dominance and violence messages from adults in their family environment; and they perceive IPV behaviors against women as abuse of lesser importance.