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Sanz Barbero B, Vives-Cases C, Vall-Llosera Casanovas L, Serra Saurina L, Saurina Canals MC, Renart Vicens G. Characterizing myths of sexual aggression in the young population in Spain. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1944. [PMID: 39030550 PMCID: PMC11265002 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19430-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myths of sexual aggression have a negative influence in aggressive behavior against women, in the institutional approaches to sexual violence and in how women cope with it. The objective of this study is to describe acceptance of myths of sexual aggression in young women and men residing in Spain. METHOD Cross-sectional study carried out online with 2,515 women (50.2%) and men (49.8%) ages 18-35 in Spain in 2020. Information on myths was collected using the Acceptance of Modern Myths About Sexual Aggression Scale (AMMSA). We described the myths most prevalent among women and men. The variables associated with myths were identified using multiple regression. The regression models were adjusted by sociodemographic and sexual orientation variables. RESULTS The average AMMSA values were higher among men [mean: 3.11; standard deviation (sd):1.23] than among women (mean 2.49 sd:1.11). In both sexes, the myths with greater acceptance showed the presence of patriarchal gender roles in sexual contacts. Men were more likely than women to accept myths that question allegations and severity of violence. Having a higher level of educational studies (β -0.350 sd: 0.046) was associated with lower average AMMSA values. Being born in Latin America (β 0.047 sd: 0.063) was associated with higher average AMMSA values. Among heterosexual men, AMMSA values were greater than among gay and bisexual men. Among women, there was no difference in average AMMSA values based on sexual orientation. CONCLUSIONS Myths persist during youth that question and trivialize sexual violence against women. It is necessary to implement strategies that reduce these myths, particularly in heterosexual men, in those of foreign-born origin and among those with low levels of education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén Sanz Barbero
- National School of Public Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), C. de Sinesio Delgado, 4, Madrid, 28029, Spain.
| | - Carmen Vives-Cases
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), C. de Sinesio Delgado, 4, Madrid, 28029, Spain
- Public Health Research Group, Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, Alicante University, Alicante, Spain
| | - Laura Vall-Llosera Casanovas
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), C. de Sinesio Delgado, 4, Madrid, 28029, Spain
- Research Group on Statistics, Econometrics and Health (GRECS), University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Laura Serra Saurina
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), C. de Sinesio Delgado, 4, Madrid, 28029, Spain
- Research Group on Statistics, Econometrics and Health (GRECS), University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - María Carme Saurina Canals
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), C. de Sinesio Delgado, 4, Madrid, 28029, Spain
- Research Group on Statistics, Econometrics and Health (GRECS), University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Gemma Renart Vicens
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), C. de Sinesio Delgado, 4, Madrid, 28029, Spain
- Research Group on Statistics, Econometrics and Health (GRECS), University of Girona, Girona, Spain
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Durán-Martín E, Sanz-Barbero B, Muñoz-Haba A, March S, Vives-Cases C. "Thanks to my activists Friends": a qualitative study of perspectives of young adults and professionals on the factors related to seeking support among victims of sexual violence in Spain. Arch Public Health 2024; 82:93. [PMID: 38907306 PMCID: PMC11191312 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-024-01319-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexual violence (SV) is a public health problem with high prevalence among the young population. The use of formal resources for SV care (e.g. institutional services) is low in this age group. This study applies a framework of health assets to identify the factors that positively influence the search for support for SV among young people, the functions of that support and the level of proximity as articulated by both young people and professionals. METHODS A qualitative study was conducted through 38 semi-structured interviews with young people and professionals from SV resource centers and/or care services for the young population in Spain. A thematic theoretical analysis was conducted, embedded in inductive insights emerging from the data, following a particular adaptation of the constant comparative method, under the grounded theory approach. This analysis was carried out by coding the interview transcripts with the support of Atlas.ti. RESULTS Young women identified assets, categorized as feminist, that they believe they are essential in the search for formal support services for SV. However, unlike young men, they considered the police and judicial system to be barriers and not assets. There were also differences between the young people and professionals in identifying assets. Young people also considered their partner and traditional media as health assets, in contrast to professionals who did not identify these as such valuable resources in the help-seeking process. Informal assets, such as family, friends and the internet are considered close resources. In contrast, specialized care services for gender-based violence/SV and the judicial and police systems were perceived as more distant resources among the young interviewees. CONCLUSIONS This study shows similarities and discrepancies among young women and men and SV response professionals in identifying assets for seeking SV support among youth. The study shows an inverse relationship between perceptions of proximity and the level of formality of the asset. This study also contributes to map the relationships and information exchanges between assets. It is advisable to inform professionals about the assets that professionals do not acknowledge, and about actions that allow young people to access formal resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Durán-Martín
- International Doctoral School of the Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia and Instituto Mixto de la Escuela Nacional de Salud (UNED- IMIENS), Madrid, 28015, Spain.
| | - Belén Sanz-Barbero
- National School of Public Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, 28029, Spain
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, 28029, Spain
| | | | | | - Carmen Vives-Cases
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, 28029, Spain
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health an History of Science, Universidad de Alicante (UA), Alicante, 03690, Spain
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Sanz-Barbero B, Estévez-Garcia F, La Parra-Casado D, Lopez-Ossorio JJ, Vives-Cases C. Intimate partner violence complaints during COVID-19 lockdown in Spain: a cross-sectional and a case-control study. Eur J Public Health 2023:7034608. [PMID: 36773315 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckad014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 lockdown, a large proportion of the women exposed to intimate partner violence had to live with their abusers full-time. This study analyzes the new official complaints that were filed during the lockdown in Spain. METHODS Data from the Comprehensive Monitoring System for Cases of Gender Violence from the Ministry of the Interior, Spain. Using logistic regression models, the complaints registered during the lockdown were compared to those registered in the previous year. Subsequently, we analysed association between the seriousness of the incident reported and the period in which the complaint was filed. RESULTS Official complaints decreased by 19% during the lockdown. The probability of complaints during lockdown mainly increased when victims had a relationship with the abusers [odds ratio (OR) = 1.33] and when they lacked social support (OR = 1.22). The probability that the complaints were associated with previous jealousy (OR = 0.87), previous harassment behaviours (OR = 0.88) or the victim's fear for minors' safety (OR = 0.87) decreased. In addition, during lockdown increased the probability that the complaints filed were due to incidents of severe physical violence (OR = 1.17); severe psychological violence against women with minors in their charge (OR = 1.22); and severe violence due to threats (OR = 1.53) when the woman had previously suffered harassment. CONCLUSIONS The decrease in new complaints during the studied period and the increase in their severity evidence difficulties in seeking help due to the lockdown. In situations of confinement, it is necessary to design measures that protect women with a lack of social support, and at those who live with the aggressor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén Sanz-Barbero
- National School of Public Health, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- CIBER for Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Carmen Vives-Cases
- CIBER for Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine, Public Health and History of Science, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
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Goicolea I, Vives-Cases C, Castellanos-Torres E, Briones-Vozmediano E, Sanz-Barbero B. Disclosing Gender-Based Violence: A Qualitative Analysis of Professionals' and Women's Perspectives through a Discursive Approach. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14683. [PMID: 36429401 PMCID: PMC9690750 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192214683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Supporting women to disclose gender-based violence (GBV) is a central feature of how healthcare and other welfare services address this problem. In this paper we take a discursive approach to analyse the process of disclosing GBV from the perspectives of young women who have been subjected to GBV and professionals working in the welfare system. Through a reflective thematic analysis of 13 interviews with young women who have been subjected to GBV and 17 with professionals working in different sectors of the welfare system, we developed four themes about how disclosure is perceived: (i) as a conversation between acquaintances; (ii) as 'no solution'; (iii) as a possible prerequisite for action; and (iv) as difficult because GBV is normalised. Even if disclosure is not the solution per se, it makes it possible to respond institutionally to GBV on an individual basis through the figure of the expert professional who is alert to signs, knows how to support disclosure, and has the power to legitimate women's claims of GBV. We acknowledge the possibilities that supporting disclosure brings for women subjected to GBV, but at the same time, problematise that it can re-centre expertise in the professional and place the responsibility on women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Goicolea
- Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, 90187 Umea, Sweden
| | - Carmen Vives-Cases
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and the History of Science, University of Alicante, 03009 Alicante, Spain
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Public Health Research Group, University of Alicante, 03009 Alicante, Spain
| | | | - Erica Briones-Vozmediano
- Group of Studies in Society, Education and Health (GESEC), Nursing and Physiotherapy Department, University of Lleida, 25008 Lleida, Spain
- Healthcare Research Group (GRECS), Biomedical Research Institute of Lleida (IRB), Josep Pifarré Fundation, 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | - Belén Sanz-Barbero
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Dobarrio-Sanz I, Fernández-Vargas A, Fernández-Férez A, Vanegas-Coveña DP, Cordero-Ahiman OV, Granero-Molina J, Fernández-Sola C, Hernández-Padilla JM. Development and Psychometric Assessment of a Questionnaire for the Detection of Invisible Violence against Women. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11127. [PMID: 36078848 PMCID: PMC9518585 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191711127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Invisible violence against women (IVAW) can be understood as the set of attitudes, behaviors, and subtle beliefs that men use to subordinate women and that are culturally accepted. These behaviors can be a risk factor for intimate partner violence (IPV), so it is important to design tools that allow us to detect it early. The aim of this study was to design and psychometrically assess a questionnaire for the detection of invisible violence against women (Q-IVAW). METHODOLOGY A descriptive cross-sectional methodological study carried out in three phases: (1) development of the initial version; (2) pilot study (N = 51); and (3) final validation study (N = 990). The tool's reliability, validity, and legibility were assessed. To assess reliability, the internal consistency (Cronbach's α) was analyzed. The validity assessment included an analysis of content, criterion, and construct validity. RESULTS The EFA revealed that the Q-IVAW was comprised of five factors that explained 55.85% of the total variance found. The Q-IVAW showed very high reliability (α = 0.937), excellent content validity, and good construct validity. The criterion validity analysis showed a moderate correlation between A-IPVAW and Q-IVAW (r = 0.30; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The psychometric assessment of the Q-IVAW yielded good results, which could support the tool's ability to assess how often women are subjected to inviable violent behaviors by their partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iria Dobarrio-Sanz
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Otilia Vanessa Cordero-Ahiman
- Grupo de Investigación en Economía Regional (GIER), Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Administrativas, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca 010107, Ecuador
| | - José Granero-Molina
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago 7500000, Chile
| | - Cayetano Fernández-Sola
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago 7500000, Chile
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Xu H, Zeng J, Cao Z, Hao H. The Relationship between Intimate Partner Violence and Online Help-Seeking: A Moderated Mediation Model of Emotion Dysregulation and Perceived Anonymity. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148330. [PMID: 35886187 PMCID: PMC9319494 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns and isolation have limited the availability of face-to-face support services for victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). Despite the growing need for online help in supporting IPV victims, far less is known about the underlying mechanisms between IPV and online help-seeking. We studied the mediating role of emotion dysregulation (ED) and the moderating role of perceived anonymity (PA) on the internet to explain IPV victims’ willingness of online help-seeking (WOHS). Through a PROCESS analysis of the questionnaire data (n = 510, 318 female, 192 male, Mage = 22.41 years), the results demonstrate that: (1) ED has been linked with the experience of IPV, and IPV significantly induces ED. (2) When IPV victims realize the symptoms of ED, they have a strong willingness to seek external intervention to support themselves. ED mediates the relationship between IPV and online help-seeking. (3) For youth growing up in the era of social networking sites (SNS), personal privacy protection is an important factor when seeking online help. The anonymity of the internet has a positive effect on victims who experience IPV and ED, and it increases WOHS. This study introduces a new perspective on the psychological mechanism behind IPV victims’ help-seeking behaviors, and it suggests that the improvement of anonymity in online support can be an effective strategy for assisting IPV victims.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Xu
- School of Management, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China;
- Correspondence:
| | - Jun Zeng
- School of Management, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China;
| | - Zheng Cao
- Graduate School of Management, Management and Science University, Shah Alam 40100, Malaysia;
| | - Huihui Hao
- Faculty of Agribusiness and Commerce, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand;
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Sanz-Barbero B, Saurina C, Serra L, Renart Vicens G, Vall-Llosera Casanovas L, Otero-García L, López MJ, Perez G, Vives-Cases C. Prevalence and associated factors with sexual violence victimisation youth before, during and after the COVID-19 lockdown: a cross-sectional study in Spain. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e055227. [PMID: 34845078 PMCID: PMC8634661 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To analyse the prevalence of sexual violence (SV) and associated factors in Spanish young adults in the last year and before, during and after the COVID-19 lockdown. DESIGN Cross-sectional study based on the online 'SV in Young People Survey' (2020). SETTING Non-institutionalised population residing in Spain. PARTICIPANTS 2515 men and women aged 18-35 years old. The participants were obtained from a probability based, online closed panel of adults aged 16 or older that is representative of the non-institutionalised population. The sample designed includes quotas by sex, age, region and country of origin. OUTCOMES MEASURES AND ANALYSES SV victimisation by sociodemographics, sexual attraction and couple-related characteristics during the past year and before, during and after the COVID-19 lockdown (March-June 2020). Prevalence ratios were calculated using robust Poisson regression models. RESULTS In Spain, 8.5% of young people experienced SV during the past year. The greatest prevalence was observed in women with bisexual attraction (17.5%) and in men with homosexual attraction (14.2%). During the COVID-19 lockdown, the prevalence of SV victimisation was lower (1.9%), but unwanted intercourses increased, affecting 64.4% of those exposed to SV during the period. People with homosexual or bisexual attraction were more likely to experience SV in all of the studied periods (PRbefore: 2.01; p<0.001; PRduring: 2.63 p=0.002; PRafter: 2.67; p<0.001). Women were more likely than men to experience SV prior to the lockdown, while no cohabitation increased the likelihood to experience SV after this period CONCLUSIONS: SV victimisation in Spanish youth is high. During COVID-19, there were changes in the magnitude of factors associated with SV. It seems that SV events decreased in people who did not live with their partners, but unwanted intercourses increased. The development of prevention strategies to address SV in youth should take into account social inequalities by sex, sexual orientation and origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén Sanz-Barbero
- CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain
- National School of Public Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carme Saurina
- CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain
- Research Group on Statistics, Econometrics and Health (GRECS), University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Laura Serra
- CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain
- Research Group on Statistics, Econometrics and Health (GRECS), University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Gemma Renart Vicens
- CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain
- Research Group on Statistics, Econometrics and Health (GRECS), University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Laura Vall-Llosera Casanovas
- CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain
- Research Group on Statistics, Econometrics and Health (GRECS), University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Laura Otero-García
- CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain
- Nursing Department. Falculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - María José López
- CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain
- Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- IIB Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Carmen Vives-Cases
- CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, Alicante University, Alicante, Spain
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