Technological intimate partner violence: Exploring technology-related perpetration factors and overlap with in-person intimate partner violence

an article by Kari N. Duerksen and Erica M.Woodin (University of Victoria, Canada) published in Computers in Human Behavior Volume 98 (September 2019)

Highlights

• Technological disinhibition predicts technological IPV perpetration.
• Social media use, but not texting, predicts technological IPV perpetration.
• Multiple forms of in-person IPV perpetration predict technological IPV perpetration.
• Prevention should target both technology-specific and general IPV risk factors.

Abstract

Technology creates new opportunities for intimate partner violence (IPV) to occur. There are common risk factors for in-person and technological IPV (tIPV), however considerably less research has investigated technology-specific risk factors.

The current study examined the importance of technology use, technological disinhibition, and in-person IPV perpetration in predicting tIPV perpetration. Data were collected from 278 emerging adults via an online survey.

Participants reported on their IPV perpetration, technology use, and technological disinhibition. Initial results indicated that both technology use and technological disinhibition uniquely predicted tIPV perpetration, but did not interact.

Further investigation showed that social media use, but not texting, uniquely predicted tIPV perpetration.

When in-person IPV perpetration variables were included, several forms of in-person IPV perpetration uniquely predicted tIPV perpetration, however technological disinhibition remained a significant predictor.

These results suggest that, while there are important technology-related perpetration factors, in-person IPV also remains an important risk factor for tIPV.

This points to the necessity for future research to establish how multiple forms of IPV interact and potentially exacerbate each other, as well as to prevent tIPV not only through the discussion of healthy technology use, but to continue to educate about healthy relationships overall.

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Older adults and violence: an analysis of Domestic Homicide Reviews in England involving adults over 60 years of age

an article by Susan Mary Benbow (University of Chester, UK; Older Mind Matters, Manchester, UK), Sarmishtha Bhattacharyya (University of Chester, UK; Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Wrexham, North Wales, UK) and Paul Kingston (University of Chester, UK) published in Ageing & Society Volume 39 Issue 2 (June 2019)

Abstract

Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) are conducted when an individual aged 16 or over appears to have died from violence, abuse or neglect by a person to whom they are related or with whom they are in an intimate relationship or who is a member of the same household. DHRs aim to identify lessons to be learned, to improve service responses to domestic abuse and to contribute to prevention of domestic abuse/homicide.

We submitted Freedom of Information requests to English Local Authorities to identify DHRs where victim, perpetrator or both were aged over 60.

Collected Reports and/or Executive Summaries were thematically analysed.

Analysis identified four key themes in the context of the key relationship and caring:

• major mental illness of the perpetrator;
• drug and/or alcohol abuse;
• financial issues; and
• a history of domestic abuse in key or family relationships.

We analysed 14 adult family homicides, 16 intimate partner homicides and five homicide–suicides.

Age per se did not emerge as a significant factor in our analysis. Terminology needs to be standardised, and training/education regarding risk assessment needs to be improved in relation to age, myths around ageing/dementia and stresses of caring.

Management of mental illness is a key factor.

A central repository of DHR Reports accessible for research and subject to regular review would contribute to maximising learning and improving practice.

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Community-Based Career Counseling for Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence A Collaborative Partnership

an article by Krista M. Chronister, Eliza Harley, Christina L. Aranda, Leah Barr and Paula Luginbuhl (University of Oregon, Eugene, USA) published in Journal of Career Development Volume 39 Number 6 (December 2012)

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) costs women nearly 8 million days of paid work annually. Greater attention to violence survivors’ employment and career development can facilitate women escaping abusive relationships and promotes their overall rehabilitation and healing.

A first step to increasing attention to survivors’ career development includes collaborating with social service agencies in an effort to translate career intervention research findings into community-based practice.

The purpose of this article is to provide a description of an individual career counselling model that the authors use to serve women IPV survivors.

The authors review the structure of the service model, the theoretical and research foundations, and describe two case examples to highlight career counselling interventions relevant for women survivors.

Hazel’s comment:
The 8 million days are in the USA and I do not seem to be able to find a figure for the UK but this research underlines something that I learned very early on in my career as an adviser; you cannot move people on if there are mental health / trauma issues in their lives any more than you can get homeless people into work without addressing the underlying reasons for the homelessness.

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