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Intimate Partner Violence in Military Couples: A Review of the Literature

NCJ Number
239584
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 17 Issue: 2 Dated: March/April 2012 Pages: 147-157
Author(s)
Alysha D. Jones
Date Published
April 2012
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This research examines intimate partner violence (IPV) in military couples.
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health concern that has not received an immense amount of attention in the military community. It is well documented in military literature that rates of IPV across U.S. military populations range from 13.5 percent to 58 percent, with considerably lower rates obtained among samples not selected on the basis of psychopathology (Marshall, Panuzio, & Taft, 2005). The main objectives are to address this gap in literature concerning the definitions of violence used, prevalence of IPV in military intimate relationships, the nature and patterns of violence, risk factors, and theories that may help to provide a better understanding of the violence attached to this unique population. Civilian and military communities are urged to work towards using common definitions and practices to facilitate comparison of rates among the populations. Furthermore, methodological tools should move towards using more multi-method and longitudinal designs, more theoretical model applications and more diverse sample selection as strategies to further our understanding of the structure and inner workings of IPV in military couples. More exhaustive research, especially in Canada, including consistent definitions and methodology needs to be conducted. Also, future research needs to address the gap in the literature regarding theory application, risk factors associated with this phenomenon, and prevention methods. (Published Abstract)