Examining Risk Factors of Intimate Partner Violence Victimization in Central America: A Snapshot of Guatemala and Honduras

Abstract

The current study examines country-specific risk factors of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization among Guatemalan and Honduran women. More specifically, we examine if (in)equality between partners, experience of controlling or emotionally abusive behavior, and components of the intergenerational transmission of violence significantly affect the risk of lifetime IPV victimization for Guatemalan ( N = 5,645) and Honduran women ( N = 9,427). We address this by analyzing both the 2014 to 2015 Guatemala Demographic and Health Survey and the 2011 to 2012 Honduras Demographic and Health Survey. Results suggest that equality between partners operates differently across the two nations, which is likely related to social norms in each country. In particular, having more decisional input is a protective factor against IPV victimization for Guatemalan women. Increased educational attainment, however, is a risk factor for IPV victimization among Honduran women. Implications, especially as they pertain to social service agencies and programming, are discussed.

Development and Application of Individual and National Opportunity to the Experience of Intimate Partner Violence among Married Women in the Global South

“…For example, when Nigerian women made household decisions, which had traditionally been seen as the man's role, they were more likely to experience IPV (Okenwa et al 2009). While some have suggested that increased education may equate to resources to leave an abusive relationship (Koenig et al 2003), educational attainment increased the risk of IPV among Honduran women (Meeker et al 2020). Educational attainment or decision-making may threaten a male partner's "breadwinning" status whereby they reassert power through abuse (Manji et al 2020).…”

Health Challenges Encountered by Spouses of the Selected Defense and Security Wing Personnel Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in Lusaka, Zambia: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study

“…In the context of evolutionary processes, IPV may have evolved to facilitate survival goals like self-defense and reproduction, hence, preventing mates from defecting to other potential partners or helping reacquire former mates (Hamel, 2020;Chester and DeWall, 2018). Similarly, there is also strong evidence between all the socioeconomic and demographic, antisocial and borderline personality disorders as well as sociocultural factors that are associated with increased risk of IPV (Qi, The risk factors for IPV perpetration across regions are generally the same for men and women (Gibbs et al, 2020;Meeker et al, 2020). These include young agebetween the ages of 18-30 years, lower levels of education; low marital satisfaction, disability, low income, and unemployment.…”

“…These include young agebetween the ages of 18-30 years, lower levels of education; low marital satisfaction, disability, low income, and unemployment. Also, witnessing and experiencing violence in childhood as well as neglect (Alanen and Kasongo, 2021;Hanafi et al, 2021;Gibbs et al, 2020;Meeker et al, 2020;Capaldi et al, 2019Walker et al, 2019). Alike, in the Sub-Saharan region and Zambia, there is strong evidence that the risk of IPV is heightened by its acceptance as a normal practice.…”

Domestic Violence During a Global Pandemic: Lockdown Policies and Their Impacts Across Guatemala

“…Evans et al, 2020; Nix & Richards, 2021; Payne et al, 2020; Piquero et al, 2020), Canada (Bucerius et al, 2021), within Australia (Payne et al, 2020; Pfitzner et al, 2020), and more recently in places such as China (Dai et al, 2021). Unfortunately understanding COVID-19 lockdowns and their impact on domestic violence has not been empirically analyzed in countries across the Americas, such as Guatemala, where domestic violence continues to be a rampant criminal justice and health issue (Beltran & Freeman, 2007; Meeker et al, 2020; Minnick & O’Brien, 2018; Wands & Mirzoev, 2022).…”