Invisibility Is Not Invincibility: The Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on Gay, Bisexual, and Straight Men's Mental Health

Factors Shaping Gay Men's Experience of Intimate Partner Violence: An Ecological View

Gay men are particularly at risk for intimate partner violence (IPV). As regards the prevalence and unique consequences of IPV, many studies seek to understand the specific stressors faced by gay men, but few provide a more comprehensive perspective of IPV-related factors, including gay men-specific, general as well as protective factors. An ecological perspective was used to conduct a qualitative study aimed at identifying the different risk and protective factors related to IPV among gay men. We conducted individual semi-structured interviews with 23 gay men who acknowledge having experienced IPV by another man, as well as two focus groups with practitioners who provide services to this population. Our analysis led to a five-level ecological model, ranging from most proximal (e.g. prior victimization) to distal (e.g. conception of masculinity) factors, and including both general factors (e.g. power dynamics) and factors specific to gay men. Heterosexism emerged as an overarching contributing sociocultural factor. This study sheds new light on mechanisms whereby these factors affect the IPV experience, namely the risk of being victimized; the recognition of IPV victimization; and the response to the IPV experienced. These mechanisms are discussed along with heterosexism-related factors, and implications for research and practices are suggested.

"It definitely changed me": Exploring sexual and gender diverse people's experiences with intimate partner violence in Ontario, Canada

INTRODUCTION

Intimate partner violence (IPV) involves an individual committing acts intended to harm or intimidate a current or former romantic partner. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent stay-at-home orders often trapped victims with perpetrators and intensified IPV. Although sexual and gender diverse people disproportionately experience IPV compared to cisgender, heterosexual people, their experiences are not well documented in the Canadian context. This study aimed to explore the experiences of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other sexual and gender diverse (2S/LGBTQIA+) people with IPV in Ontario and how the COVID-19 pandemic affected their IPV experiences.

METHODS

We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with self-identified 2S/LGBTQIA+ people who experienced IPV on/after March 15, 2020. We audio-recorded and transcribed all interviews and coded the transcripts for content and themes using inductive and deductive techniques.

RESULTS

Our 20 participants experienced physical, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse. Technology-facilitated violence extended abuse geographically and temporally. IPV experiences were associated with negative mental health outcomes that were intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants struggled to see themselves as legitimate victims of IPV. Although participants regretted being victims of violence, many saw their abusive relationship(s) as a learning experience to inform future relationships.

DISCUSSION

Our findings suggest that 2S/LGBTQIA+ people may experience unique forms of identity abuse and may have difficulty recognizing their IPV experiences as abuse. Ensuring that comprehensive sexual health education is trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and includes information about healthy relationship dynamics, 2S/LGBTQIA+ relationships, and IPV is critical.

Unheard Voices of LGB People in Türkiye on LGB-specific Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence: A Qualitative Analysis

Drawing upon in-depth, semistructured interviews with 26 LGB participants, we explored how LGB individuals experience IPV uniquely in Türkiye. Conducting thematic analysis, we generated four themes: (a) invalidation of sexual identity, (b) controlling sexuality and sexual behaviors, (c) disclosure of sexual orientation, and (d) binegativity. The analysis emphasizes LGB-specific power dynamics influencing IPV. A discussion is provided regarding the extent to which these four themes are specific to IPV in LGB relationships. Additionally, recommendations are offered to mental health professionals on tailoring their approaches and promoting advocacy for the needs of LGB IPV survivors.

Self-reported intimate partner violence among men who have sex with men at an urban Australian sexual health clinic

BACKGROUND

In Australia, 17% of women and 6% of men have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). Although most IPV research has focused on heterosexual partnerships, studies suggest that men who have sex with men (MSM) may experience IPV at similar or higher rates than those documented among women. IPV may also take different forms among MSM and have different health and social impacts. This study aims to assess the utility of a screening tool for identifying and responding to IPV among MSM attending a sexual health clinic in Sydney, Australia.

METHODS

Between 1 June 2020 and 30 June 2022, MSM clients were screened using standardised questions to identify IPV experienced within the preceding 12months. Answers to the screening questions were correlated with data collected routinely at the initial clinic visit, including age, employment, country of birth, drug and alcohol use, sexual partner numbers, and any history of sex work, pre-exposure prophylaxis use and HIV status, as well as any bacterial STI diagnosed at the initial visit.

RESULTS

There were 2410 eligible clients and of these, 2167 (89.9%) were screened during the study period. A total of 64 men (3.0%) (95% CI 2.3-3.8%) reported experiencing physical violence or intimidation in the past 12months. Controlling for age, men who were born in Australia were 2.03 (95% CI: 1.04-3.01) times more likely to report IPV, and men who had Medicare were 2.43 (95% CI: 0.95-3.90) times more likely to report IPV than those who did not. Those who had ever injected drugs were 5.8 (95% CI: 1.87-9.73) times more likely to report IPV, and men with sexualised drug use were 4.11 (95% CI: 2.03-6.19) times more likely. Those that were employed or studying were 72% (95%CI: 0.13-0.42) less likely to report IPV.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of reported IPV in our study was lower than that reported by others, which may be due to differences in recruitment methods and questions asked. Associations between IPV in MSM and injecting drug use and sexualised drug use highlight that clinicians should be aware of the impact and potential for IPV particularly in those with risk factors.

Minority Stress and Health Disparities in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or Questioning Adults

In recent decades, much attention has been placed on reducing health disparities that have plagued the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning community. Significant health disparities continue to exist compared with the heterosexual population. Sexual minorities tend to experience higher rates of acute and chronic conditions than the general population. Sexual minorities are more likely to delay seeking medical care and are less likely to lack a consistent source for health care. A provider's failure to recognize and a person's lack of disclosure prevent vital discussions about human immunodeficiency virus risk, hormone therapy, cancer risk, hepatitis, and sexual health.

Interpersonal Violence Victimization Experiences of Middle School Youth: An Exploration by Gender and Sexual/Romantic Attraction

Sexual minority youth (SMY) are at increased risk for interpersonal violence victimization compared to heterosexual youth. The current study examined how self-reported victimization (i.e., bullying, sexual harassment and dating violence) among middle school youth varied as a function of sexual/romantic attraction as well as gender identity. Cross-sectional data were gathered from students at seven middle schools in New England (n = 2245). Mean comparisons with post-hoc Tukey tests determined differences in rates of past 6-month and lifetime interpersonal violence victimization by sexual/romantic attraction and the intersection of gender and attraction. As hypothesized, interpersonal violence victimization among middle school youth differed as a function of sexual/romantic attraction as well as gender. To date, most research has focused on older samples, particularly high-school youth and young adults. These data are consistent with these prior studies documenting increased risk for interpersonal violence victimization among youth who indicate same-gender attraction but add to the literature in demonstrating the expansive forms of peer victimization that same-gender-attracted youth already experience by early adolescence. Given that victimization is associated acutely and longitudinally with many deleterious outcomes, including poorer mental health and increased risk for subsequent victimization, greater structural supports are needed for early adolescent SMY.

Risk and Protective Factors for Intimate Partner Violence Against Bisexual Victims: A Systematic Scoping Review

Bisexual-identifying individuals appear to be at increased risk of experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) compared to people of other sexualities. The purpose of this systematic scoping review was to examine risk and protective factors for the perpetration of IPV against bisexual victims and to provide a preliminary quality assessment of the included studies. A systematic search of academic and grey literature was conducted in February 2021. Inclusion criteria specified that study participants identified as bisexual, that the study examined risk or protective factors for IPV, and that findings were disaggregated by sexual identity. All potentially eligible references were independently screened by two reviewers, and conflicts settled by a third reviewer. Nine articles published between 2013 and 2021 met criteria for inclusion. Data extraction was completed for all included studies, and findings presented in a narrative synthesis. The review identified a number of risk factors, including bisexual identity, internalised homophobia, discrimination, partner gender, negative childhood experiences and non-monogamy. One study included consideration of a potentially protective factor. The majority of the included studies were cross-sectional in design. More longitudinal studies are needed to clarify temporality of the associations identified and better inform support and prevention efforts. Further implications for future research, policies and practise are discussed.

Discrimination and intimate partner violence among a sample of bisexual and gay men in the United States: a cross-sectional study

Purpose

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is becoming more recognized as a public health concern among sexual minority men, including bisexual and gay men. Guided by the Minority Stress Model, we assessed the relationship between perceived discrimination and three forms of IPV among a sample of bisexual and gay men living in the United States.

Methods

We analyzed data as part of the Men's Body Project, a cross-sectional study launched in 2020 to assess health behaviors of bisexual and gay men.

Results

A total of 549 individuals participated in the survey, of which 52% were gay and 48% were bisexual men. Perceived discrimination was significantly associated with elevated odds ratios ranging from 1.15 to 1.18 across three forms of IPV, with Physical IPV odds ratio being highest.

Conclusion

Given the significant association between perceived discrimination and IPV, interventions aimed at addressing IPV experiences among sexual minority men must consider the role of minority stress.

"We were there all alone": Sexual abuse within the peer group in boarding schools in Israel - Retrospective perceptions of adult survivors

BACKGROUND

Despite the extensive research on child sexual abuse and the alarming extent of the phenomenon among peers, certain perspectives are still missing.

OBJECTIVE

The current study aimed to explore the subjective experience of adult survivors of peer sexual abuse while in boarding school, which has rarely been explored.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

The present study included 15 adults who were sexually abused by their peers while attending boarding school.

METHODS

The data were based on semi-structured in-depth interviews focused on the abuse story, disclosure, and the meaning of the boarding school context to the participants. The interviews were analyzed using the qualitative thematic analysis approach.

RESULTS

The findings characterized the boarding school as lacking parental figures, lacking rule and regulation enforcement, and staff who were not able to deal effectively with sexual abuse cases. The relationships within the peer group in the boarding school were characterized by intense, although unspoken, intimacy and sexuality. As part of the group's socialization, breaking the rules was encouraged, including in the sexual realm. Furthermore, the boarding school was perceived as a space that maintained conservative patriarchal social structures that encouraged traditional gender perceptions.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the current study indicated the urgent need to advance both policy and practice in this area, for example, greater involvement of the boarding school staff in the lives of the adolescents and implementation of rules and regulations to create a safer climate for those who choose, or need, to live away from home.

What About the Men? A Critical Review of Men's Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a health problem affecting people of all genders and other social locations. While IPV victimization of cis-gendered women has been widely researched, how men conceptualized or experience IPV victimization, and the variations in their experiences of IPV, has not been thoroughly examined. In this critical review of men's experiences of IPV, an extensive search of peer reviewed literature was conducted using multiple database (Cochrane database, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsycgINFO, and Google Scholar) as well as the gray literature. We critically reviewed examining the conceptual foundations of IPV victimization among men. The influence or gender roles and societal expectation on men's experiences and perceptions of IPV victimization and their help-seeking behavior are explored. Current knowledge about types, tactics, and patterns of IPV against men and the health and social consequences of IPV are addresses. Additionally, the conceptual and empirical limitations of current research are discussed, including the tendency to compare only the prevalence rates of discrete incidents of abuse among women versus men; the use of IPV measures not designed to capture men's conceptualizations of IPV; and the lack of attention given to sex and gender identity of both the victim and perpetrator. Future research priorities that address these limitations and seek to strengthen and deepen knowledge about IPV among men are identified.

Categories of Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse Among Young Women and Men: Latent Class Analysis of Psychological, Physical, and Sexual Victimization and Perpetration in a UK Birth Cohort

BACKGROUND

In the UK, around one-third of young people are exposed to Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse (IPVA) by 21 years old. However, types of IPVA victimization in this population (psychological, physical, sexual), and their relationship with impact and perpetration are poorly understood.

METHODS

Participants in a UK birth cohort reported IPVA victimization and perpetration by age 21. We carried out a latent class analysis, where we categorized IPVA by types/frequency of victimization, and then assigned individuals to their most probable class. Within these classes, we then estimated rates of reported: 1) types of negative impacts (sad, upset/unhappy, anxious, depressed, affected work/studies, angry/annoyed, drank/took drugs more); 2) types/frequency of perpetration.

RESULTS

Among 2130 women and 1149 men, 32% and 24% reported IPVA victimization (of which 89% and 73% reported negative impact); 21% and 16% perpetration. Victimization responses were well represented by five classes, including three apparent in both sexes: No-low victimization (characterized by low probabilities of all types of victimization; average probabilities of women and men belonging to this class were 82% and 70%); Mainly psychological (15% and 12%); Psychological and physical victimization (4% and 7%), and two classes that were specific to women: Psychological and sexual (7%); Multi-victimization (frequent victimization for all three types; 4%). In women, all types of negative impact were most common in the Psychological and sexual and Multi-victimization classes; for men, the Psychological and physical class. In women, all types of perpetration were most common for the Mainly psychological, Psychological and physical and Multi-victimization classes; in men, the Mainly psychological and Psychological and physical classes.

DISCUSSION

In this study of young people, we found categories of co-occurrence of types and frequency of IPVA victimization associated with differential rates of negative impact and perpetrating IPVA. This is consistent with emerging evidence of IPVA differentiation and its variable impact in other populations.

Psychosocial and Culturally-Specific Factors Related to Intimate Partner Violence Victimization among a Sample of Latino Sexual Minority Cis Men in the U.S

A growing body of research illustrates that sexual minority men (SMM) experience elevated rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) compared to heterosexual individuals. Researchers have examined the relationship between minority stress and IPV victimization among sexual minority men. A majority of the IPV research identifying risk factors associated with IPV victimization among SMM have sampled predominately non-Hispanic White SMM, while Latino SMM are consistently under-represented in IPV research. This study examines the associations between (1) co-occurring psychosocial factors (e.g., depression, anxiety, childhood sexual abuse, drug use, and problematic drinking) and (2) Latino-specific minority stress factors (e.g., U.S.-born, language, race/ethnic identities, and discrimination) on IPV victimization in a nationwide sample of Latino SMM. Data were collected from Latino SMM aged 18 or older, identified as cis-male, and in a romantic relationship with a cis-male partner (N = 530). The participants were recruited through social media and geo-location-based dating mobile applications. A majority (72%) of the sample reported IPV victimization in their lifetime. Specific to forms of IPV, more than half (51.9%) of the sample reported monitoring behaviors, while 49.6% reported emotional IPV, 45.1% reported physical IPV, 31.5% reported controlling behaviors, and 22.3% reported HIV-related IPV. In multivariable models, psychosocial and Latino-specific factors were associated with the increased likelihood of IPV victimization. Regarding Latino-specific factors, being born in the U.S. and race-based discrimination predicted IPV victimization. These findings highlight the extent to which minority stress elevates the risk of IPV for Latino SMM and point to the need to address social factors in IPV prevention services. Further, work on SMM IPV victimization tends to focus on the potential role of sexual orientation-related discrimination, whereas the current study points to the importance of race-based discrimination.

Intimate Partner Violence in Same-Sex Relationships: Are We Aware of the Implications?

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has been a significant public health problem in same-sex relationships. However, health policies across the globe do not address IPV causing a massive gap in health and economic burden. In the last decade, crucial missing links have been established, and researchers tried to connect the dots of this severe health disparity. This intersectionality has found the impact of race, gender, class, physical ability, and legal framework of IPV in lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) relationships. However, preventive strategies, training programs, and dialogues in the clinical field about IPV are from heteronormative lenses. This particular bias can perpetuate the issue and will remain one of the leading causes of health burden in the LGB population. This article reviews the lacunae in health policies regarding same-sex IPV, highlights its impact on minority mental health, and calls for attention to train health-care professionals regarding the same.

Additive interactions between sex and forced sexual intercourse victimization on depressive symptoms and suicidality: Youth risk behavior survey 2001-2017

BACKGROUND

Adolescents who have been forced to have sexual intercourse have higher rates of depressive symptoms and suicidality.

PURPOSE

This research investigated whether the association between adolescent forced sexual intercourse victimization and depressive symptoms or suicidality varies significantly by sex.

METHOD

This secondary analysis pooled cross-sectional data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2001 through 2017 (N = 132,580) using R to estimate adjusted risk differences and additive interactions.

FINDINGS

Results show an extremely high prevalence of depressive symptoms and suicidality among adolescents who experience forced sexual victimization. This association is significantly higher among females for depressive symptoms, but significantly higher among males for suicide attempt or suicide attempt requiring treatment.

RESULTS

also showed that approximately 40% of both males and females who attempted suicide requiring treatment also had a history of forced sexual intercourse victimization.

DISCUSSION

These findings highlight the importance of screening for sexual victimization, depression and suicidality among adolescents.

Sexual Minority Men's Perspectives and Experiences of Adolescent Pregnancy Risk and Pregnancy Prevention Behaviors

Sexual minority men (e.g., gay, bisexual, queer) are more likely than heterosexual men to be involved in an adolescent pregnancy, but little research has been done on the context surrounding this disparity. To address this gap, and as part of the larger Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Pregnancy Experiences (SLOPE) Study, semi-structured interviews and descriptive surveys were conducted with 10 cisgender sexual minority men, ages 29-49, from across the United States. Interview transcripts were analyzed using immersion/crystallization and template organizing style methods, and themes were organized into a conceptual model describing sexual minority men's debut sexual activity and decision-making experiences during adolescence. This model depicts three themes: 1) partnership and negotiation of sexual experiences, 2) psychological processes related to development, pregnancy, and sexuality, and 3) cultural and environmental contexts. These three themes are contextualized by a throughline of transformative life events (i.e., the existence and chronology of life-impacting events). Findings indicate a complex interplay of psychological (e.g., developmental processes surrounding sexuality and sexual orientation), social (e.g., personal relationships), and policy-level factors (e.g., sex education) influence sexual minority men's sexuality and pregnancy prevention decision-making during adolescence. Care should be taken to consider and include sexual minority men in pregnancy prevention messaging and education.

Exploring the causal role of intimate partner violence and abuse on depressive symptoms in young adults: a population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown an association between experience of intimate partner violence and abuse (IPVA) and depression. Whether this is a causal relationship or explained by prior vulnerability that influences the risk of both IPVA and depression is not known.

METHODS

We analysed data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children prospective cohort (N = 1764 women, 1028 men). To assess the causal association between IPVA at 18-21 years old and logged depressive symptom scores at age 23, we used (i) multivariable linear regression, (ii) inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW), and (iii) difference-in-difference (DiD) analysis, which compared the mean change in logged depressive symptom scores between ages 16 and 23 between those who experienced IPVA and those who did not.

RESULTS

Women who experienced IPVA had on average 26% higher depressive symptom scores after adjustment for measured confounders (ratio of geometric means 1.26, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.40). In men, the difference was 5% (ratio of geometric means 1.05, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.21). Results from IPTW analysis were similar. In the DiD analysis, there was no evidence that being exposed to IPVA affected the change in depressive symptom scores over time compared to being in the non-exposed group for either women (difference-in-differences 1%, -12 to 16%) or men (-1%, -19 to 20%).

CONCLUSIONS

Multivariable linear regression and IPTW suggested an association between IPVA and higher depressive symptom score in women but not men, but DiD analysis indicated a null effect in both women and men. This suggests the causal origins of higher depressive symptoms in this young adult population are likely to reflect prior vulnerability that leads to both higher depressive symptoms and increased risk of IPVA exposure.

Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction

Intimate partner violence (IPV) among men who have sex with men (MSM) has become a serious and widespread public health issue, which might result in low quality of life and increase the global burden of diseases.

Aim

To quantitatively estimate the pooled prevalence of IPV and its specific forms (physical violence, sexual violence and emotional violence) among MSM.

Methods

Databases of PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CNKI, WANFANG Data, and Weipu (CQVIP) Data were searched for identified studies published between January 1990 and August 2020. Random effect meta-analyses were used to synthesize the pooled prevalence and 95% CIs of IPV.

Main Outcome Measures

The pooled prevalence of IPV in victimization and in perpetration among MSM.

Results

A total of 52 studies with 32,048 participants were included for final analysis. The pooled prevalence of IPV was 33% (6,342 of 19,873; 95%CI, 28–39%) in victimization and 29% (1,491 of 5,983; 95%CI, 17 –40%) in perpetration across all recall periods among MSM population. Furthermore, the pooled prevalence of physical violence was 17% (3,979 of 22,928; 95%CI, 14 –20%) and 12% (942 of 9,236; 95%CI, 10 –15%), of sexual violence was 9% (1,527 of 19,511; 95%CI, 8 –11%) and 4% (324 of 8,044; 95%CI, 3 –5%), of emotional violence was 33% (5,147 of 17,994; 95%CI, 25 –40%) and 41% (1,317 of 3,811; 95%CI, 17 –65%) in victimization and perpetration, respectively. Out of all the IPV identified, emotional violence was estimated at the highest level.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated a high prevalence of IPV both in victimization and perpetration among MSM, and emotional violence was estimated at the highest level out of all IPV forms. Efforts are needed to develop corresponding prevention programs for victims with an intent to increase the accessible availability of health services, and ultimately improve their life quality.

Liu M., Cai X., Hao G. et al., Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sex Med 2021;9:100433.

Intimate Partner Violence in the LGBTQ+ Community: Experiences, Outcomes, and Implications for Primary Care

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender (LGBTQ+) minorities experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at higher rates than heterosexual and/or cisgender people. Providers often are less prepared to work with LGBTQ+ survivors, which can be the result of a reliance on stereotypes on what constitutes an IPV victim. This article provides recommendations for working with LGBTQ+ survivors, including screening for IPV regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, participating in LGBTQ+-affirming trainings regarding IPV, and creating a welcoming and inclusive space that promotes LGBTQ+ survivors' comfort in disclosing IPV.

Sexual Agreements and Intimate Partner Violence Among Male Couples in the U.S.: An Analysis of Dyadic Data

Prior research with male couples has focused on how sexual agreements can influence relationship dynamics, sexual risk taking, and health promoting behaviors. Little is known about the association between sexual agreements and the experience or perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) in this population. Our study sought to evaluate these associations using dyadic data from a sample of 386 male couples residing in the U.S. Both partners independently reported on their relationship characteristics, sexual agreements, and specific acts reflecting physical, emotional, controlling, and monitoring IPV in separate surveys. Participants were more likely to have experienced IPV in the past year if they were in a relationship for ≥ 3 years versus < 3 years (aOR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.03-2.53). Among 278 couples who had formulated sexual agreements, men who concurred with their partners on being in an "open" relationship were less likely to have experienced IPV versus those in a "closed" relationship (aOR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.25-0.89). However, participants were more likely to have experienced IPV if their partners believed they had previously broken their sexual agreement (aOR = 2.79, 95% CI = 1.03-7.52). The verbal explicitness and duration of sexual agreements were not associated with either experiencing or perpetrating IPV in the past year. However, increasing levels of depressive symptomatology were associated with a greater likelihood of both experiencing and perpetrating IPV. Our findings highlight the need to prioritize dyadic interventions for male couples that focus on skills building around enhancing mutual communication and negotiating sexual agreements to reduce IPV.

Austrian male patients' gender role conflict is associated with their wish for interpersonal violence to be addressed during patient-physician conversations: a questionnaire study

Background

Experiencing interpersonal violence and disclosing this experience to physicians can be associated with fear, shame, denial or emotional turmoil. Expressions of such feelings additionally conflict with masculine gender role ideologies and may be experienced as masculine gender role conflict. Masculine gender role conflict is often associated with men’s unwillingness to seek professional help. The current study analyzed the association between masculine gender role conflict and men’s wish for patient-physician conversations to include questions about interpersonal violence they might have experienced.

Methods

In structured closed-ended interviews conducted at an Austrian hospital 129 male patients (M_age = 59.4, SD = 14.7) were asked what forms of interpersonal violence they had experienced. Additionally, a study-specific questionnaire was used to find out whether male patients wanted future physician-patient conversations to include questions about interpersonal violence they might have experienced. Men’s gender role conflict was assessed with the Gender Role Conflict Scale-Short Form.

Results

Half of the male patients (50%) reported having experienced at least one form of interpersonal violence. Nearly half of the men (48%) wanted their physician to ask them in future about any violence they might have experienced. One pattern of gender role conflict was positively associated with men’s wish to be asked in patient-physician conversations about potential interpersonal violence. Namely, men who reported conflicts between work and family relations were more likely to state that they wanted such conversations (OR = 1.6, 95%CI = 1.1–2.4) than were men who did not often experience this pattern of gender role conflict.

Conclusions

Experiences of interpersonal violence should be an important part of physician-patient conversations with male patients. Overall, male patients would welcome their physician initiating a potential conversation about violence. Using an approach that takes consideration of masculine gender role ideologies may further increase some men’s willingness to approach the topic of interpersonal violence. Men who adhere to the norm of being preoccupied with work may be more willing to talk about this subject if healthcare situations are framed in a way that men perceive the possibility to uphold masculine gender role ideologies of self-sufficiency or of being in control.