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Published in: Journal of Family Violence 6/2014

01-08-2014 | Predictive Factors for Intimate Partner Violence Against Women

Predictors of Women’s Same-Sex Partner Violence Perpetration

Authors: Robert J. Milletich, Leslie A. Gumienny, Michelle L. Kelley, Gabrielle M. D’Lima

Published in: Journal of Family Violence | Issue 6/2014

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Abstract

The present study examined family of origin, individual characteristics, and intimate relationship variables as predictors of women’s reports (N = 209; M = 29.5 years) of physical aggression toward their current or most recent same-sex partner in the past year. Participants completed measures that assessed a series of family of origin, individual, and intimate relationship variables. Results of a least-squares regression revealed that identifying as heterosexual (as opposed to lesbian), higher levels of relationship fusion, more experiences of psychological aggression victimization, and having more prior physically aggressive relationships were associated with more frequent perpetration of partner violence. Results of exploratory models testing whether internalized homophobia or dominance/accommodation were indirectly related to physical aggression perpetration revealed that fusion (i.e., enmeshment with one’s partner) mediated the relationship between internalized homophobia and perpetration of partner violence. Similarly, fusion mediated the association between dominance/accommodation and the perpetration of partner violence. Findings underscore the importance that individual and relationship characteristics have in predicting partner violence perpetration in women’s same-sex relationships.
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Metadata
Title
Predictors of Women’s Same-Sex Partner Violence Perpetration
Authors
Robert J. Milletich
Leslie A. Gumienny
Michelle L. Kelley
Gabrielle M. D’Lima
Publication date
01-08-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Family Violence / Issue 6/2014
Print ISSN: 0885-7482
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2851
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-014-9620-7

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