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An Updated Review of the Literature on LGBTQ+ Intimate Partner Violence

  • Sexual Orientation and Identity (E Coleman and J Vencill, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Sexual Health Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This paper reviews the LGBTQ+ intimate partner violence (IPV) literature published since 2015.

Recent Findings

Though LGBTQ+ IPV mirrors heterosexual cisgender IPV in most ways, sexual and gender minorities face higher rates of IPV, potentially worse outcomes, and different IPV trajectories. Therefore, shared risk factors cannot fully explain these differences. Researchers attribute this variability to minority stress, such as sexuality-based discrimination and internalized homophobia, which explain differences in IPV among LGBTQ+ individuals and heterosexual cisgender individuals. Indeed, recent findings support the importance of minority stress factors, especially internalized homophobia, as risk factors for IPV.

Summary

Future research should focus on identifying protective factors against IPV within the LGBTQ+ community, as well as improving understanding of the variables that influence IPV at various levels of the social ecological model. Strategies for the prevention and intervention of LGBTQ+ IPV remain under-researched and poorly understood. Reducing minority stress is likely to be a key part of IPV prevention and intervention among LGBTQ+ persons.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, East Carolina University, 104 Rawl Building, Greenville, NC, 27858-4353, USA

    Melissa Decker & Heather L. Littleton

  2. University of New Hampshire, Durham, USA

    Katie M. Edwards

Authors
  1. Melissa Decker
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  2. Heather L. Littleton
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  3. Katie M. Edwards
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Correspondence to Heather L. Littleton.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Sexual Orientation and Identity

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Decker, M., Littleton, H.L. & Edwards, K.M. An Updated Review of the Literature on LGBTQ+ Intimate Partner Violence. Curr Sex Health Rep 10, 265–272 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-018-0173-2

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