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Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence in a Sample of Multiethnic Urban Young Adults

NCJ Number
245740
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 28 Issue: 15 Dated: October 2013 Pages: 3004-3022
Author(s)
Bianca P. Acevedo; Sarah R. Lowe; Kenneth W. Griffin; Gilbert J. Botvin
Date Published
October 2013
Length
19 pages
Annotation

The purpose of the present study was to investigate risk and protective factors for intimate partner violence IPV victimization in a high-risk sample of predominantly minority young adults from low-income urban communities.

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate risk and protective factors for intimate partner violence IPV victimization in a high-risk sample of predominantly minority young adults from low-income urban communities. Participants were 1,130 individuals 57.9% women ages 21 to 26 who participated in a telephone interview assessing IPV victimization, violence-related behaviors, and sexual behaviors. Results indicated that about 20.9% of participants reported experiencing one or more IPV incidents in their lifetime. Based on previous research, we examined lifetime violence, lifetime number of sexual partners, number of children, education, and religious service attendance as predictors of IPV. Results from a multivariate logistic regression showed that lifetime violence-related behaviors, number of lifetime sexual partners, and number of children were significant risk factors for IPV. The link between children and IPV risk: a was moderated by education for women and men and b was stronger for women vs. men. These findings suggest that training for coping with stress and anger, endorsement of safe sex practices, and greater support for education may be effective strategies for preventing and reducing IPV among high-risk populations.