Intimate Partner Violence Experiences of Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents and Young Adults Assigned Female at Birth

Abstract

Sexual and gender minority youth, especially those assigned female at birth, are at risk for intimate partner violence (IPV) due to minority stressors. With a sample of 352 sexual and gender minority youth assigned female at birth (ages 16–32), we aimed to describe IPV in this population, including the prevalence, directionality, frequency, co-occurrence, and demographic correlates of various IPV types. Rates of past-6-month IPV were high, with victimization and perpetration of minor psychological IPV most common (64–70%); followed by severe psychological, minor physical, and coercive control (21–33%); and severe physical and sexual IPV (10–15%). For cyber abuse and IPV tactics leveraging anti-sexual minority stigma, victimization (12.5% and 14.8%, respectively) was more common than perpetration (8% and 5.7%, respectively). Most IPV was bidirectional and occurred 1–2 times in 6 months, although the frequency varied considerably. Latent class analyses revealed that half of the participants reported no or minimal IPV; one-third experienced multiple forms of psychological IPV (including coercive control); and 10–15% reported psychological, physical, sexual, and cyber abuse. Racial minority youth had higher rates of most IPV types than White participants. We hope study findings will inform policies and interventions to prevent IPV among gender and sexual minority youth assigned female at birth.

Development and Initial Validation of Three Culturally Sensitive Measures of Intimate Partner Violence for Sexual and Gender Minority Populations

“…Contrary to hypotheses, antisocial behavior and jealousy were not more strongly associated with perpetration than victimization. This is likely due to the high degree of mutual IPV in this sample, with 37% to 86% of relationships demonstrating mutuality in most types of IPV (Whitton et al, in press). In addition, participant and perceived partner jealousy were highly correlated ( r = .67), limiting their ability to show distinct associations with other variables.…”

Help-Seeking Barriers Among Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals Who Experience Intimate Partner Violence Victimization

“…In addition, 63% of gay and bisexual men, compared with 29% of heterosexual men, reported experiencing IPV victimization (Walters et al 2013). Further, sexual minority women assigned female at birth are at heightened risk for experiencing sexual IPV victimization compared to sexual minority men and heterosexual men and women (Messinger 2011;Whitton et al 2019). Findings also suggest that sexual minority youth are at an increased risk of experiencing IPV victimization compared to cisgender, heterosexual youth (Edwards et al 2015;Martin-Storey 2015).…”

Romantic involvement and mental health in sexual and gender minority emerging adults assigned female at birth

“…Data were drawn from the late adolescent/emerging adult cohort of FAB400 ( N = 400; 16–20 years old at baseline), an ongoing longitudinal merged-cohort study of young SGM-AFAB, focused on their health, development, and intimate relationships (Whitton et al, 2019). Inclusion criteria required participants to be AFAB, speak English, and either identify with a sexual or gender minority label, report same-gender attractions, or report same-gender sexual behavior.…”