Risk Factors for Men’s Lifetime Perpetration of Physical Violence against Intimate Partners: Results from the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES) in Eight Countries

Abstract

This paper examines men’s lifetime physical intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration across eight low- and middle-income countries to better understand key risk factors that interventions can target in order to promote gender equality and reduce IPV. We use data from men (n = 7806) that were collected as part of the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Chile, Croatia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), India, Mexico, and Rwanda. Results show that there is wide variation across countries for lifetime self-reported physical violence perpetration (range: 17% in Mexico to 45% in DRC), men’s support for equal roles for men and women, and acceptability of violence against women. Across the sample, 31% of men report having perpetrated physical violence against a partner in their lifetime. In multivariate analyses examining risk factors for men ever perpetrating physical violence against a partner, witnessing parental violence was the strongest risk factor, reinforcing previous research suggesting the inter-generational transmission of violence. Additionally, having been involved in fights not specifically with an intimate partner, permissive attitudes towards violence against women, having inequitable gender attitudes, and older age were associated with a higher likelihood of ever perpetrating physical IPV. In separate analyses for each country, we found different patterns of risk factors in countries with high perpetration compared to countries with low perpetration. Findings are interpreted to identify key knowledge gaps and directions for future research, public policies, evaluation, and programming.

Victimization and Perpetration of Intimate Partner Violence among Female and Male Youth and Adults in South Africa

“…This study found, in agreement with previous studies (Fleming et al 2015;Gass et al, 2011, Ishida et al, 2010Peitzmeier et al 2016), an association common mental disorders and/or community violence victimization with IPV victimization and/or perpetration among women and/or men. However, contrary to these study findings common mental disorders have commonly been seen as a sequela of IPV, and not as a risk factor (Gass et al, 2011).…”

“…Previous studies in South Africa and elsewhere (Fleming et al, 2015;Gass et al, 2011;Peitzmeier et al, 2016) seem to have found higher rates of IPV perpetration, although lifetime rates were reported that are difficult to comapre with 12-month rates. The study also found high rates of co-occurrence of IPV victimization and perpetration, especially among IPV perpetrators, among both women and men.…”

“…In the United States, the past 12-month prevalence of severe IPV victimization was 2.3% among women and 2.1% among men (Breiding et al, 2014). Regarding IPV perpetration, a study in eight developing countries found across countries that 31% of men reported IPV perpetration in their lifetime (Fleming et al, 2015). IPV has a range of negative health impacts, including injury, unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), poor mental health, and addiction (Campbell, 2002;Ellsberg et al, 2008).…”

“…In addition to substance use disorders (Gass et al, 2011;Gonzalez, Connell, Businelle, Jennings, & Chartier, 2014;Peitzmeier et al 2016), IPV experiences and/or perpetration among women and/or men is associated with common mental disorders and/or community violence victimization (Fleming et al 2015;Gass et al, 2011, Ishida, Stupp, Melian, Serbanescu, & Goodwin, 2010Peitzmeier et al 2016). …”

Programa P Bolivia: Un manual para la paternidad activa

“…Ello en el marco de un orden patriarcal que históricamente ha discriminado y generado desigualdades hacia las mujeres. (Barker y Aguayo, 2012;Fleming et al, 2015;Ramírez, 2008;Jewkes et al, 2011).…”