Physical Intimate Partner Violence and Controlling Behavior in Mexican University Students and Their Attitudes Toward Social Limits

Abstract

This study explored patterns of controlling behavior, physical violence, and attitudes toward social limits in young Mexican university students in light of the effect that socialization processes have in attitudes toward social norms and violent behavior as indicated in some of the literature. A total of 437 male and female heterosexual participants residing in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, provided information on their perpetration/victimization experiences of controlling behavior (by means of the Controlling Behaviors Scale) and physical violence (using the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales [CTS2]) and their attitudes toward social limits (using the Attitudes Toward Social Limits scale). Results indicate similar chronicity levels of experienced controlling behavior and physical violence perpetration/victimization between the sexes. Participants expressed major tendency to adjust to a social norm rather than overstepping it. Males tend to overstep social limits more often than females, although no significant linear relationship was found between abusive behavior and attitudes promoting the infringement of social norms. Higher chronicity levels were rather found by dyadic type, relationships with mutual physical intimate partner violence (IPV), and controlling behavior in comparison with relationships where unidirectional violence prevails. Implications of findings involve the acknowledgment of change in dynamics used by more educated young Mexicans, and the recognition of IPV in these populations as a heterogeneous phenomenon for primary and secondary interventions.

Psychological Aggression, Attitudes About Violence, Violent Socialization, and Dominance in Dating Relationships

“…These findings are consistent with research that has found no direct link between psychological aggression and violent attitudes (e.g., Esquivel-Santoveña et al, 2020). IPV victimization for men and women that is predicted by their own perpetration experiences is consistent with the findings of research with dating samples reported elsewhere (Esquivel-Santoveña et al, 2020;Haynie et al, 2013;Orpinas, Nahapetyan, Song, McNicholas, & Reeves, 2012). Implications for male victimization and a widespread use of psychological aggression suggest that young educated men may struggle with power loss experiences that stem from traditional socialization processes, in light of the emergence of new masculinities.…”

“…Overall, the findings here support the general belief that it is a pattern of dominance over a dating partner (rather than attitudes about violence) that better explains psychological aggression perpetration experiences for both men and women. These findings are consistent with research that has found no direct link between psychological aggression and violent attitudes (e.g., Esquivel-Santoveña et al, 2020). IPV victimization for men and women that is predicted by their own perpetration experiences is consistent with the findings of research with dating samples reported elsewhere (Esquivel-Santoveña et al, 2020;Haynie et al, 2013;Orpinas, Nahapetyan, Song, McNicholas, & Reeves, 2012).…”

Intimate Partner Violence: Controlling Behavior and Triggers of Aggression

“…However, it is important to notice that intimate partner violence is a complex and heterogeneous phenomenon and that there may be variations in gender rates of victimization and perpetration between different samples. In this sense, research data has shown that in a sample of university students controlling behavior is practiced about equally by men and women (Esquivel-Santoveña, Hernández, Viveros, Orozco, & van Barneveld, 2020).…”

Apoyo social y violencia de pareja en estudiantes universitarias

“…Respecto a la población de estudiantes universitarios(as), las investigaciones se centran en cuantificar el problema de la violencia en la pareja (Esquivel-Santoveña et al, 2020;Lazarevich, Irigoyen-Camacho y Velázquez-Alva, 2017;López-Cepero, Estrada-Pineda y Chan-Gamboa, 2018;Rodríguez, Riosvelasco y Castillo, 2018). Por su parte, los estudios cualitativos indagan las creencias y actitudes de los(as) jóvenes en torno a la violencia de pareja (Rojas-Solís, 2013), así como las experiencias de las jóvenes como víctimas de esta clase de violencia (Vázquez y Castro, 2008).…”