Alison Marganski
Professor, Le Moyne College
Key Findings
- Both in-person and cyber intimate partner violence had similar negative behaviors associated with them (depression, substance use and antisocial behavior).
- Cyber intimate partner violence was connected to more negative behaviors than certain types of in-person intimate partner violence.
- Data showed that males were at a higher risk for substance use and antisocial behavior in all models.
- Psychological in-person intimate partner violence and cyber intimate partner violence were linked to types of substance use and antisocial behavior, but physical and sexual in-person intimate partner violence were only significantly linked to illicit drug use and antisocial behavior.
- Negative online exchanges can harmfully impact young adults as all victims of intimate partner violence reported higher rates of negative behavior than their non-victim counterparts.
Description
In the article, “Cyber and In-Person Intimate Partner Violence Victimization: Examining Maladaptive Psychosocial and Behavioral Correlates,” Marganski and her co-author examine the impact of intimate partner violence (IPV) (both in-person (IP-IPV) and cyber (C-IPV)) on young adults with different behavioral and psychological backgrounds. Traditionally, greater focus has been devoted to IP-IPV, but as technology (e.g. social media, GPS systems, etc.) and relationships continue to evolve, more research on C-IPV is needed. To conduct their study, the researchers surveyed nearly 550 undergraduate students aged 18-25 that indicated they were in relationships. The results showed that both IP-IPV and C-IPV had similar negative behaviors associated with them (depression, substance use and antisocial behavior). C-IPV was connected to more negative behaviors than certain types of IP-IPV. The data also showed that males were at a higher risk for substance use and antisocial behavior in all models. Psychological IP-IPV and C-IPV were linked to types of substance use and antisocial behavior, but physical and sexual IP-IPV were only significantly linked to illicit drug use and antisocial behavior. Overall, the results suggest that negative online exchanges can harmfully impact young adults as all victims of IPV reported higher rates of negative behavior than their non-victim counterparts. In conclusion, the researchers indicated that further research is needed to understand C-IPV and how maladaptive behaviors are correlated to IPV. They also recommend that service providers take both types of IPV seriously and tailor practices to support victims.