Intimate Partner Violence Among Men Who Have Sex With Men

Abstract

This article presents results from a systematic review of the literature on intimate partner violence (IPV) among US men who have sex with men (MSM). From 576 reviewed studies, a total of 28 met inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. The population characteristics of each study, definitions of IPV, prevalences of different forms of IPV, and statistically tested correlates of IPV are summarized for each study. The results indicate that all forms of IPV occur among MSM at rates similar to or higher than those documented among women, although data on perpetration rates of IPV are scant, and consensus as to IPV correlates among MSM is absent. This review also finds significant limitations the reviewed literature, notably the lack of a standardized, validated definition of IPV among MSM; use of unspecific recall periods for IPV; a lack of attention to non-physical, non-sexual forms of IPV; and near-universal use of cross-sectional, convenience samples of urban MSM. Researchers should develop and validate a MSM-specific definition of IPV, use more rigorous epidemiological methods to measure IPV and its effects, and clarify the mental and physical health outcomes associated with both receipt and perpetration of IPV.

Violence in Intimate Relationship between Same-Sex Partners: Prevalence Study

“…Traditionally, research in this area focuses mainly on heterosexual relationships in which the woman tends to be identifi ed as the main victim and the man as the aggressor (Richards, Noret, & Rivers, 2003). This idea of women as victims and men as violence perpetrators is refl ected in the lower level of exploration and investigation into violence by an intimate partner in other types of relationships such as same-sex relationships (Cezario, Fonseca Lopes, & Lawrence, 2015;Finneran & Stephenson, 2012;Santos, 2012). Despite of the fact that a large proportion of the violence in relationships involves heterosexual partners, several studies (e.g., Banks & Fedewa, 2012; National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs Project, 2013;Finneran & Stephenson, 2012) have recognized that violence is also problematic in homosexual relationships, countering the typical characterization of these relationships as egalitarian and free from intimate violence (Ali & Machado, 2005).…”

“…This idea of women as victims and men as violence perpetrators is refl ected in the lower level of exploration and investigation into violence by an intimate partner in other types of relationships such as same-sex relationships (Cezario, Fonseca Lopes, & Lawrence, 2015;Finneran & Stephenson, 2012;Santos, 2012). Despite of the fact that a large proportion of the violence in relationships involves heterosexual partners, several studies (e.g., Banks & Fedewa, 2012; National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs Project, 2013;Finneran & Stephenson, 2012) have recognized that violence is also problematic in homosexual relationships, countering the typical characterization of these relationships as egalitarian and free from intimate violence (Ali & Machado, 2005). Thus, studies in this area have revealed common features in the forms of violence present both in same-sex and heterosexual relationships and have found that physical, psychological and sexual abuse occur in both types of relationships (Antunes & Machado, 2005;Cezario et al, 2015;Finneran & Stephenson, 2012).…”

Association between Community Collectivization and Mental Depression among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Andhra Pradesh, India

“…Previous studies show the experience of physical or sexual violence among same-sex relationship is higher than opposite-sex relationship [43,44]. A systematic review and meta-analysis among MSM, by Buller et al illustrate a strong association between partner violence and depressive symptoms which in turn leads to poor mental health.…”

Violência nas relações íntimas entre parceiros do mesmo sexo: estudo de prevalência

“…Tradicionalmente, a investigação nesta área incide essencialmente em relações de natureza heterossexual, na qual a mulher é tendencialmente identifi cada como a principal vítima e o homem o agressor (Richards, Noret, & Rivers, 2003). Tal experiência refl etiu-se em uma menor exploração e investigação de outros tipos de relacionamentos como acontece nas situações de violência nas relações de intimidade entre parceiros do mesmo sexo (Cezario, Fonseca, Lopes, & Lourenço, 2015;Finneran & Stephenson, 2012;Santos, 2012). Sem duvidar da existência de uma representação da violência em relacionamentos envolvendo parceiros heterossexuais, vários estudos (e.g., Banks & Fedewa, 2012;Finneran & Stephenson, 2012; National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs Project, 2013) têm discutido que esta é uma problemática também presente em relacionamentos homossexuais, contrariando, desta forma, a caracterização generalizada destas relações como sendo igualitárias e, consequentemente isentas de violência íntima (Antunes & Machado, 2005).…”