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Intimate Partner Violence
Lauryn G. Davis
WRTG 391.6377: Advanced Research Writing
WRTG391: Advanced Research Writing
Professor Casey Flores
February 23, 2024
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The Long-Term Effects of Intimate Partner Violence
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a widespread issue impacting millions globally that
should be taken more seriously. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
IPV can be categorized as physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and psychological
aggression (2022). It can be very easy to confuse IPV with domestic violence, when in fact,
domestic violence is just one type of IPV. Intimate partner violence “refers to heterosexual,
homosexual, and bisexual relationships regardless of age, gender, or marital status” (Li et al.,
2023). “Domestic violence refers to abuse against children, adults, and the elderly, including
economic, physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological abuse” (Li et al., 2023). It is a global
issue, with research that establishes clear negative outcomes. “Over 61 million women (about
twice the population of Texas) and 53 million men have experienced psychological aggression
by an intimate partner in their lifetime” (CDC, 2022). There have been considerable efforts to
address IPV, although its prevalence remains alarming. While research has established clear
adverse outcomes associated with IPV victimization, perspectives still vary regarding specific
effects and mechanisms of impact.
The issue of IPV is not merely a private matter confined to individual relationships. It can
be noted that this matter can be articulated to be more of a societal scourge with far-reaching
implications. It can be said to be more of a societal issue than an individual aspect since it tends
to undermine countless individuals’ safety, autonomy, and well-being (Screening for family and
intimate partner violence: recommendation statement. 2004). Thus, many people are involved in
his problem rather than a single person. Moreover, IPV causes a lot to individuals, like
perpetuating cycles of trauma and harm to them.
There are many issues surrounding the nature of IPV. This knowledge about IPV people
should encompass various forms of abuse, including physical, sexual, psychological, and
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economic (McCarthy, 2020). Intimate partner violence affects everyone, directly or indirectly. It
erodes the oneness of families and communities, thus perpetuating cycles of violence and
undermining individual well-being. Therefore, by raising awareness and educating individuals,
survivors are empowered, harmful beliefs are challenged, and a safe environment is created. This
aspect has persisted as a pervasive societal issue, exacting devastating physical, psychological,
and interpersonal consequences.
Differing Research Methods
The articles featured a range of research methodologies. For example, Almeida et al.
(2023) utilized self-report measures with 158 female IPV victims in Portugal to examine
connections between adult attachment, psychopathology, and beliefs about IPV. Associations
found between insecure attachment and mental health symptoms align with previous studies. The
exclusive focus on female victims prevents generalization to male victims. In contrast, Bates
(2020) featured an anonymous online survey of 161 men assessing IPV experiences, societal
perceptions, and help-seeking barriers. Qualitative analysis revealed detrimental health,
relationship, and self-concept impacts. While self-selection may limit generalizability, the online
approach facilitated disclosure.
Other studies employed longitudinal designs following individuals over extended periods.
For instance, Johnson et al. (2014) conducts a longitudinal study to analyze data from over 1,300
youth in the Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study. The purpose is to examine the association
between exposure to parental IPV in adolescence and depressive symptoms later in life. While
experimental methodology constrains causal inferences, the multi-wave assessment strengthens
support for developmental pathways. Similarly, Scrafford et al. (2019) analyzed longitudinal data
from over 70 participants in the United States. Structural equation modeling revealed direct paths
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from teen dating violence to adult depression and indirect effects through trauma symptoms.
Again, the long-term approach aids in determining persistent impacts.
Varying Definitions and Operationalization
The studies also differed in how they defined and operationalized IPV exposures. Curtis
et al. (2023) broadly conceptualized teen dating violence to include physical, sexual, and
psychological abuse. Others focused specifically on physical violence and aggression (Bates,
2020; Scrafford et al., 2019). These differences influence prevalence rates and restrict
comparisons across studies. There was also variability regarding the measurement tools utilized.
Some relied on established self-report measures like the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (Almeida
et al., 2023; Scrafford et al., 2019), while others developed study-specific items and protocols
(Bates, 2020). Reliance on retrospective self-report has limitations regarding the accuracy of
recall and social desirability biases. The anonymous online survey Bates (2020) used may have
reduced this issue. Nonetheless, efforts to establish consistent terminology and psychometrically
sound assessment tools would benefit the field.
Physical Health Effects
Research clearly demonstrates that IPV victimization elevates risks for adverse physical
health outcomes. Curtis et al. (2023) identified developmental pathways from teen dating
violence to a range of adult health conditions, including diabetes, stroke, heart disease, cancer,
and lung conditions. Possible mechanisms include the adoption of unhealthy coping behaviors.
Likewise, the male victims in Bates’ (2020) study reported lasting physical injuries and
conditions that they directly attributed to their abuse experiences. The samples across studies
point to diverse negative health effects spanning injury, chronic disease, pain, and disability.
However, differences emerge regarding sex-based patterns in physical consequences.
Some research found severely injurious violence predominately among male victims (Bates,
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2020; Spencer et al., 2019). In Bates’ (2020) sample, nearly half of men reported serious injuries
from the abuse. This contrasts with notions that minimize the impact of women’s violence. Yet
other studies emphasize higher rates of femicide, hospitalization, and death from IPV among
women (Spence et al., 2022). Resolution of these discrepancies warrants further investigation
into the nature and contexts surrounding bidirectional compared to uni-directional IPV.
Psychological Effects
Among the effects noted in the study, psychology is one of them. The psychological toll
of IPV victimization also clearly emerges across the articles. Universal effects on mental health
included PTSD, depression, and suicide ideation (Almeida et al., 2023; Bates, 2020; Scrafford et
al., 2019). Anxiety and anger additionally appeared among IPV-related symptoms (Dami et al.,
2017). This aligns with abundant evidence linking IPV to trauma-based disorders, internalizing
problems, and externalizing behaviors (Spencer et al., 2019) —however, the literature points to
gender-based differences in psychological outcomes. As Almeida et al. (2023) discussed,
research indicates women demonstrate a higher prevalence of internalizing disorders like
depression and anxiety compared to externalizing conditions more common among men.
Correspondingly, Bates (2020) found suicidal actions and a sense of lost identity to be salient
impacts among male victims. These trends likely stem from gender-based socialization, coping
tendencies, and access to support resources. Nonetheless, the wide-ranging emotional damage
crosses gender lines.
Some studies also considered explanatory mechanisms connecting early abuse to later
mental health troubles. Curtis et al. (2023) determined that teen dating violence directly elevates
the odds of adult depression. Trauma experiences further mediated the pathway from early dating
violence to PTSD symptoms in late adolescence. This highlights the compounding effect of
polyvictimization across development. Similarly, Scrafford et al. (2019) found teen dating
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violence indirectly impacted adult depression through trauma symptomology. These findings
elucidate pathways and demonstrate the persisting mental health consequences stemming from
early abuse.
Interpersonal Effects
In addition to health problems, research demonstrates extensive interpersonal fallouts
from IPV victimization. For example, Walsh & Schub (2023) highlighted the link that exists
between insecure attachment patterns and risks for entering or maintaining abusive relationships.
Victims frequently demonstrate anxious, fearful, or preoccupied attachment orientations rooted
in disruptions to early caregiver bonds and intimacy needs (Dela Cruz et al., 2023). These
attachment deficits leave victims vulnerable to manipulation, coercion, and revictimization.
The articles also revealed how IPV undermines trust, self-efficacy, and functioning in
subsequent relationships. Bates (2020) described how many male victims struggled to
emotionally reconnect in future partnerships out of lingering suspicions, jealousy, and avoidance.
Other men became controlling toward new partners as a self-protective reaction, thus
perpetuating abusive dynamics. Among women, Dela Cruz et al. (2023) determined
developmental pathways from teen dating violence to impaired self-ratings of adult romantic
relationship quality. Again, early victimization carries lasting scars interfering with the
establishment of healthy bonds.
Finally, IPV victimization takes extensive interpersonal tolls through disruption to
parent-child bonds. Children suffer from exposure to marital violence in the home (Curtis et al.,
2023). However, Bates (2020) found abusive partners actively sabotaged and manipulated men’s
relationships with their children as a tactic of control. The couples in his sample frequently had
children, magnifying the intergenerational impacts. Thus, IPV corrodes foundations of trust and
security both within and beyond the couple.
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Attitudes, Help-Seeking, and Responses
Attitudes and beliefs spread through society also emerge as pivotal in shaping IPV
experiences, help-seeking, and responses. Bates (2020) discussed sociocultural norms of
masculinity and femininity providing support for perceptions of victims and perpetrators. Gender
stereotypes foster tendencies to minimize women’s violence while viewing men’s victimization
as a threat to masculinity (Spencer et al., 2019). Correspondingly, Bates (2020) found male
victims acutely aware of societal attitudes, doubting, blaming, and emasculating them. This
prevents disclosure and reduces access to support.
Both Almedia et al. (2023) and Bates (2020) contend that patriarchal traditions normalize
male domination and feminine submission, providing fertile soil for IPV endorsement. General
belief systems tolerating IPV hence constitute barriers to egalitarian relationships and furnish
perpetrators with justifications. Transforming such attitudes is vital for progress but constrained
by deep cultural roots. Help-seeking hesitancy also emerges from negative views of support
resources. Bates (2020) discovered that male victims expected services to be unavailable,
unhelpful, or biased. Some had previous poor help-seeking experiences where they felt blamed
or accused. These perceptions, grounded in masculine norms of self-reliance and gendered
response paradigms, construct substantial practical and psychological deterrents to disclosure.
Without societal attitude shifts and major service reforms, the cycle of silence and suffering
seems destined to persist.
Conclusion
Analysis of perspectives across these six articles reveals both common and differing
findings regarding the long-term impacts of IPV victimization. Universal effects on physical
health, mental health, and relationships emerge clearly in the literature. However, questions
remain regarding the severity of outcomes across genders and in light of bidirectionality versus
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unidirectionality of abuse patterns. Developmental pathways, attachment disruptions, poly
victimization, and belief systems are all implicated as explanatory mechanisms linking early
trauma to persisting adult troubles. Societal attitudes and help-seeking barriers constitute major
concerns diminishing life prospects for victims of all backgrounds. While knowledge has
advanced, putting insights into action through education, policy, and improved responses
remains imperative for alleviating IPV’s life-long scars. Further research should inform these
translation efforts by clarifying gender-based risks, experiential nuances, and avenues for growth
after adversity.
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References
Almeida, I., Nobre, C., Marques, J., & Oliveira, P. (2023). Violence against women: Attachment,
psychopathology, and beliefs in intimate partner violence. Social Sciences (2076-0760),
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Bates, E. A. (2020). “No one would ever believe me”: An exploration of the impact of intimate
partner violence victimization on men. Psychology of Men & Masculinities, 21(4), 497–
507. https://doi-org.ezproxy.umgc.edu/10.1037/men0000206
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, October 11). Fast facts: Preventing intimate
partner violence |violence prevention|injury Center|CDC. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/fastfact.html
Curtis, A., Harries, T., Pizzirani, B., Hyder, S., Baldwin, R., Mayshak, R., Walker, A.,
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