Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Partner Violence Victimization Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Youth: Associations Among Risk Factors

  • Published:
Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Literature shows that youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) experience high rates of victimization across various contexts, though there is little research specific to partner violence victimization. Given the deleterious effects of partner violence seen in both youth generally and LGBTQ adults, it is imperative to investigate partner violence among LGBTQ youth. The authors investigated the prevalence of partner violence among a community sample of LGBTQ youth (N = 140) and examined potential correlates of said violence. Approximately half of the participants had ever experienced some form of partner violence. Rates of ever experiencing partner violence were approximately 2.5 times higher for youth who had binge drank in the past month or ever experienced familial abuse and nearly three times higher for youth who had experienced an episode of homelessness in the past year. Implications for professionals who serve LGBTQ youth are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Gender identity was originally collected with additional categories of trans/male to female, trans/female to male, gender variant/genderqueer, and other. Due to small cell sizes, these were collapsed into a single category of other.

  2. Sexual orientation was originally collected with additional categories of queer, heterosexual, not sure/questioning, and other. Those identified as heterosexual (and not transgender) were removed from the sample. Then, due to small cell sizes, the remaining categories were collapsed into a single category of other.

  3. Race and ethnicity were originally collected with additional categories of American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian or Asian American, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino/a, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Biracial/multiracial, and other. Due to small cell sizes, these were collapsed into a single category of people of color.

  4. However, when examining the number of PV incidents and retaining the sexual orientation variable in its original form, questioning youth appeared to be at risk for experiencing higher numbers of PV incidents.

References

  • Ackard, D. M., Eisenberg, M. E., & Neumark-Sztainer, D. (2007). Long-term impact of adolescent dating violence on the behavioral and psychological health of male and female youth. The Journal of Pediatrics, 151, 476–481. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2007.04.034.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alderson, P., & Morrow, V. (2011). Money matters: Contracts, funding projects and paying participants. (2011). In P. Alderson & V. Morrow (Eds.), The ethics of research with children and young people: A practical handbook. (2nd ed., pp. 63–73). London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

  • Bandura, A. (1978). Social learning theory of aggression. Journal of Communication, 28, 12–29.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barnes, J. E., Noll, J. G., Putnam, F. W., & Trickett, P. K. (2009). Sexual and physical revictimization among victims of severe childhood sexual abuse. Child Abuse and Neglect, 33(7), 412–420. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2008.09.013.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Bartholomew, K., Regan, K.V., Oram, D. & White, M.A. (2008a). Correlates of partner abuse in male same-sex relationships. Violence and Victims, 23, 344–360. doi: 10.1891/0886-6708.23.3.344.

  • Bartholomew, K., Regan, K.V., White, M.A., & Oram, D. (2008b). Patterns of abuse in male same-sex relationships. Violence and Victims, 23, 617–636. doi: 10.1891/0886-6708.23.5.617.

  • Baynard, V. L., Arnold, S., & Smith, J. (2000). Childhood sexual abuse and dating experiences of undergraduate women. Child Maltreatment, 5, 39–48. doi:10.1177/1077559500005001005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bender, K., Thompson, S., Ferguson, K., & Langenderfer, L. (2014). Substance use predictors of victimization profiles among homeless youth: A latent class analysis. Journal of Adolescence, 37(2), 155–164. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2013.11.007.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, C. (2008). Gender-role implications on same-sex intimate partner abuse. Journal of Family Violence, 23, 457–462. doi:10.1007/s10896-008-9172-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, A., Cosgrave, E., Killackey, E., Purcell, R., Buckby, J., & Yung, A. R. (2009). The longitudinal association of adolescent dating violence with psychiatric disorders and functioning. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 24, 1964–1979. doi:10.1177/0886260508327700.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cattaneo, L. B., & Goodman, L. A. (2003). Victim-reported risk factors for continued abusive behavior: Assessing the dangerousness of arrested batterers. Journal of Community Psychology, 31, 349–369. doi:10.1002/jcop.10056.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cavanaugh, C. E., Hansen, N. B., & Sullivan, T. P. (2010). HIV sexual risk behavior among low-income women experiencing intimate partner violence: The role of posttraumatic stress disorder. AIDS and Behavior, 14, 318–327. doi:10.1007/s10461-009-9623-1.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (2004). 2004 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/yrbss.

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (2013). Injury prevention and control: Intimate partner violence. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/.

  • Champion, H. L. O., Foley, K. L., DuRant, R. H., Hensberry, R., Altman, D., & Wolfson, M. (2004). Adolescent sexual victimization, use of alcohol and other substances, and other health risk behaviors. Journal of Adolescent Health, 35, 321–328.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chartier, K. G., & Caetano, R. (2012). Intimate partner violence and alcohol problems in interethnic and intraethnic couples. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 27, 1780–1801. doi:10.1177/0886260511430392.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Corliss, H. L., Cochran, S. D., & Mays, V. M. (2002). Reports of parental maltreatment during childhood in a United States population-based survey of homosexual, bisexual, and heterosexual adults. Child Abuse and Neglect, 26(11), 1165–1178. doi:10.1016/S0145-2134(02)00385-X.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Dank, M., Lachman, P., Zweig, J. M., & Yahner, J. (2013). Dating violence experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 43, 846–857. doi:10.1007/s10964-013-9975-8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Desai, S., Arias, I., Thompson, M. P., & Basile, K. C. (2002). Childhood victimization and subsequent adult revictimization assessed in a nationally representative sample of women and men. Violence and Victims, 17, 639–653. doi:10.1891/vivi.17.6.639.33725.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Deutskens, E., De Ruyter, K., Wetzels, M., & Oosterveld, P. (2004). Response rate and response quality of internet-based surveys: An experimental study. Marketing Letters, 15, 21–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eaton, L., Kaufman, M., Fuhrel, A., Cain, D., Cherry, C., Pope, H., & Kalichman, S. C. (2008). Examining factors co-existing with interpersonal violence in lesbian relationships. Journal of Family Violence, 23, 697–705. doi:10.1007/s10896-008-9194-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eshelman, L., & Levendosky, A. A. (2012). Dating violence: Mental health consequences based on type of abuse. Violence and Victims, 27, 215–228. doi:10.1891/0886-6708.27.2.215.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fang, X., & Corso, P. S. (2007). Child maltreatment, youth violence, and intimate partner violence: Developmental relationships. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 33, 281–290. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2007.06.003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Feldman, M. B., Ream, G. L., Díaz, R. M., & El-Bassel, N. (2007). Intimate partner violence and HIV sexual risk behavior among Latino gay and bisexual men. Journal of LGBT Health Research, 3(2), 9–19. doi:10.1300/J463v03n02_02.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Freedner, N., Freed, L. H., Yang, Y. W., & Austin, S. B. (2002). Dating violence among gay, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents: Results from a community survey. Journal of Adolescent Health, 31, 469–474. doi:10.1016/S1054-139X(02)00407-X.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gaetz, S. (2004). Safe streets for whom? Homeless youth, social exclusion, and criminal victimization. Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 46, 423–455. doi:10.3138/cjccj.46.4.423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldberg, N. G., & Meyer, I. H. (2013). Sexual orientation disparities in history of intimate partner violence: Results from the California Health Interview Survey. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 28, 1109–1118. doi:10.1177/0886260512459384.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Halpern, C. T., Oslak, S. G., Young, M. L., Martin, S. L., & Kupper, L. L. (2001). Partner violence among adolescents in opposite-sex romantic relationships: Findings from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. American Journal of Public Health, 91, 1679–1685. doi:10.2105/AJPH.91.10.1679.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Houston, E., & McKirnan, D. J. (2007). Intimate partner abuse among gay and bisexual men: Risk correlates and health outcomes. Journal of Urban Health, 84, 681–690. doi:10.1007/s11524-007-9188-0.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hove, M. C., Parkhill, M. R., Neighbors, C., McConchie, J. M., & Fossos, N. (2010). Alcohol consumption and intimate partner violence perpetration among college students: The role of self-determination. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 71, 78–85.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Howard, D. E., & Wang, M. Q. (2003). Risk profiles of adolescent girls who were victims of dating violence. Adolescence, 38, 1–14.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Howard, D. E., Wang, M. Q., & Yan, F. (2007). Psychological factors associated with reports of physical dating violence among U.S. adolescent females. Adolescence, 42, 311–324.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Huefner, J. C., Ringle, J. L., Chmelka, M. B., & Ingram, S. D. (2007). Breaking the cycle of intergenerational abuse: The long-term impact of a residential care program. Child Abuse and Neglect, 31(2), 187–199. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2006.09.003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jezi, D. R., Molidor, C. E., & Wright, T. L. (1996). Physical, sexual, and psychological abuse in high school dating relationships: Prevalence rates and self-esteem issues. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 13, 69–87. doi:10.1007/BF01876596.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, C. A., & Raghaven, C. (2012). Sexual orientation, social support networks, and dating violence in an ethnically diverse group of college students. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 24, 1–22. doi:10.1080/10538720.2011.611107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaysen, D., Dillworth, T. M., Simpson, T., Waldrop, A., Larimer, M. E., & Resick, P. A. (2007). Domestic violence and alcohol use: Trauma-related symptoms and motives for drinking. Addictive Behaviors, 32, 1272–1283. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2006.09.007.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kilpatrick, D. G., Ruggiero, K. J., Acierno, R., Saunders, B. E., Resnick, H. S., & Best, C. L. (2003). Violence and risk of PTSD, major depression, substance abuse/dependence, and comorbidity: Results from the National Survey of Adolescents. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71, 692–700.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kosciw, J. G. (2004). The 2003 National School Climate Survey: The school-related experiences of our nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. New York: GLSEN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kreiter, S. R., Krowchuk, D. P., Woods, C. R., Sinal, S. H., Lawless, M. R., & DuRant, R. H. (1999). Gender differences in risk behaviors among adolescents who experience date fighting. Pediatrics, 104, 1286–1292. doi:10.1542/peds.104.6.1286.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lipsky, S., & Caetano, R. (2011). Intimate partner violence perpetration among men and emergency department use. The Journal of Emergency Medicine, 40, 696–703. doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2008.04.043.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lipsky, S., Caetano, R., Field, C. A., & Larkin, G. L. (2005). Is there a relationship between victim and partner alcohol use during an intimate partner violence event? Findings from an urban emergency department study of abused women. Journals of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 66, 407–412.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Longo, J., Walls, N. E., & Wisneski, H. (2013). Religion and religiosity: Protective or harmful factors for sexual minority youth? Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 16, 273–290. doi:10.1080/13674676.2012.659240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin-Storey, A. (2015). Prevalence of dating violence among sexual minority youth: Variation across gender, sexual minority identity and gender of sexual partners. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 44, 211–214. doi:10.1007/s10964-013-0089-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Messinger, A. M. (2011). Invisible victims: Same-sex IPV in the National Violence Against Women Survey. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 26, 2228–2243. doi:10.1177/0886260510383023.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mittal, M., Senn, T. E., & Carey, M. P. (2011). Mediators of the relation between partner violence and sexual risk behavior among women attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 38, 510–515. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0b013e318207f59b.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. NIAAA council approves definition of binge drinking. NIAAA Newsletter 2004, 3. Retrieved from http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Newsletter/winter2004/Newsletter_Number3.pdf.

  • Nowinski, S. N., & Bowen, E. (2012). Partner violence against heterosexual and gay men: Prevalence and correlates. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 17, 36–52. doi:10.1016/j.avb.2011.09.005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Renner, L. M., & Whitney, S. D. (2012). Risk factors for unidirectional and bidirectional intimate partner violence among young adults. Child Abuse and Neglect, 36(1), 40–52. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2011.07.007.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosario, M., Schrimshaw, E. W., & Hunter, J. (2012). Homelessness among lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth: Implications for subsequent internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 41, 544–560. doi:10.1007/s10964-011-9681-3.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Saewyc, E. M., Skay, C. L., Pettingell, S. L., Reis, E. A., Bearinger, L., Resnick, M., et al. (2006). Hazards of stigma: The sexual and physical abuse of gay, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents in the United States and Canada. Child Welfare, 85, 195–213.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Silverman, J. G., Raj, A., Mucci, L. A., & Hathaway, J. E. (2001). Dating violence against adolescent girls and associated substance use, unhealthy weight control, sexual risk behavior, pregnancy, and suicidality. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 286, 572–579. doi:10.1001/jama.286.5.572.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Slesnick, N., Erdem, G., Collins, J., Patton, R., & Buettner, C. (2010). Prevalence of intimate partner violence reported by homeless youth in Columbus, Ohio. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 25, 1579–1593. doi:10.1177/0886260509354590.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stall, R., Mills, T. C., Williamson, J., Hart, T., Greenwood, G., Paul, J., et al. (2003). Association of co-occurring psychosocial health problems and increased vulnerability to HIV/AIDS among urban men who have sex with men. American Journal of Public Health, 93, 939–942. doi:10.2105/AJPH.93.6.939.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Stith, S. M., Rosen, K. H., Middleton, K. A., Busch, A. L., Lundeberg, K., & Carlton, R. P. (2000). The intergenerational transmission of spouse abuse: A meta-analysis. Journal of Marriage and Family, 62, 640–654. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2000.00640.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M. A. (2007). Dominance and symmetry in partner violence by male and female university students in 32 nations. Children and Youth Services Review, 30, 252–275. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2007.10.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M. A., & Ramirez, I. L. (2007). Gender symmetry in prevalence, severity, and chronicity of physical aggression against dating partners by university students in Mexico and USA. Aggressive Behavior, 33, 281–290.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stuart, G. L., Moore, T. M., Kahler, C. W., & Ramsey, S. E. (2003). Substance abuse and relationship violence among men court-referred to batterer’ intervention programs. Substance Abuse, 24, 107–122. doi:10.1080/08897070309511539.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Temple, J. R., & Freeman, D. H, Jr. (2011). Dating violence and substance use among ethnically diverse adolescents. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 26, 701–718. doi:10.1177/0886260510365858.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • The GLBT Community Center (2013). Rainbow Alley. Retrieved April 6, 2014 from http://www.glbtcolorado.org/rainbow-alley/.

  • Thompson, M. P., Basile, K. C., Hertz, M. F., & Sitterle, D. (2006). Measuring intimate partner violence victimization and perpetration: A compendium of assessment tools. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pub-res/IPV_Compendium.pdf.

  • Thompson, M. P., & Kingree, J. B. (2006). The roles of victim and perpetrator alcohol use in intimate partner violence outcomes. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 21, 163–177. doi:10.1177/0886260505282283.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tjaden, P., & Thoennes, N. (2000). Extent, nature, and consequences of intimate partner violence. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs: National Institute of Justice. Retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/181867.pdf.

  • Turrell, S. (2000). A descriptive analysis of same-sex relationship violence for a diverse sample. Journal of Family Violence, 15, 281–293. doi:10.1023/A:1007505619577.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tyler, K. A. (2009). Risk factors for trading sex among homeless young adults. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 38, 290–297. doi:10.1007/s10508-007-9201-4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tyler, K. A., & Beal, M. R. (2010). The high-risk environment of homeless young adults: Consequences for physical and sexual victimization. Violence and Victims, 25, 101–115. doi:10.1891/0886-6708.25.1.101.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Waldner-Haugrud, L. K., Gratch, L. V., & Magruder, B. (1997). Victimization and perpetration rates of violence in gay and lesbian relationships: Gender issues explored. Violence and Victims, 12, 173–184.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Waller, M. W., Iritani, B. J., Christ, S. L., Clark, H. K., Moracco, K. E., Halpern, C. T., & Flewelling, R. L. (2012). Relationships among alcohol outlet density, alcohol use, and intimate partner violence victimization among young women in the United States. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 27, 2062–2086. doi:10.1177/0886260511431435.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Walls, N. E., & Bell, S. (2011). Correlates of engaging in survival sex among homeless youth and young adults. Journal of Sex Research, 48, 423–436. doi:10.1080/00224499.2010.501916.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walls, N. E., Laser, J., Nickels, S. J., & Wisneski, H. (2010). Correlates of cutting behavior among sexual minority youths and young adults. Social Work Research, 34, 213–226. doi:10.1093/swr/34.4.213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Welles, S. L., Corbin, T. J., Rich, J. A., Reed, E., & Raj, A. (2011). Intimate partner violence among men having sex with men, women, or both: Early-life sexual and physical abuse as antecedents. Journal of Community Health, 36, 477–485. doi:10.1007/s10900-010-9331-9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • West, C. M. (2012). Partner abuse in ethnic minority and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender populations. Partner Abuse, 3, 336–357. doi:10.1891/1946-6560.3.3.336.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitbeck, L. B., Chen, X., Hoyt, D. R., Tyler, K. A., & Johnson, K. D. (2004). Mental disorder, subsistence strategies, and victimization among gay, lesbian, and bisexual homeless and runaway adolescents. Journal of Sex Research, 41, 329–342. doi:10.1080/0022449040955224.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, 2148 South High Street, Denver, CO, 80208, USA

    Lisa Langenderfer-Magruder, N. Eugene Walls, Darren L. Whitfield & Samantha M. Brown

  2. Cooperative Innovation Consultants, Denver, CO, USA

    Cory M. Barrett

Authors
  1. Lisa Langenderfer-Magruder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. N. Eugene Walls
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Darren L. Whitfield
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Samantha M. Brown
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Cory M. Barrett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lisa Langenderfer-Magruder.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Langenderfer-Magruder, L., Walls, N., Whitfield, D.L. et al. Partner Violence Victimization Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Youth: Associations Among Risk Factors. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 33, 55–68 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-015-0402-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-015-0402-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation