Masculine gender roles associated with increased sexual risk and intimate partner violence perpetration among young adult men

Gender-transformative programmes: a framework for demonstrating evidence of social impact

Ample evidence has demonstrated that gender inequality and restrictive gender norms wield significant influence over health outcomes. While gender-transformative programmes have grown with the aim of challenging these norms and promoting gender equality, their effectiveness in driving sustainable norm change remains a subject of debate. This paper introduces a comprehensive analytical framework designed to assess the impact of these programmes.Drawing from extensive literature reviews of rigorously evaluated health programmes, this framework identifies four key dimensions that are instrumental in determining a programme's potential for transformative change. These dimensions are multiplicative effect, sustainability, spread and scalability. Multiplicative effect emphasises the interconnected nature of societal systems, positing that altering one element can trigger cascading effects throughout the entire system. Sustainability recognises that change within a system is less likely to revert once the structure has shifted. Programmes that facilitate norm change are more likely to sustain the changes brought about by their interventions. Spread acknowledges the importance of engaging entire networks that share the targeted norms. Successful programmes should demonstrate evidence of gender-related outcomes extending beyond the immediate beneficiaries, progressively diffusing through the broader population. Finally, scalability emphasises the need to bring gender-transformative initiatives to a larger scale to effect broader norm change.By aligning programme design and evaluation with these four dimensions, the proposed framework provides a standardised approach for assessing gender-transformative programmes. It shifts the focus from individual-level change to systemic transformation, bridging the gap between programmatic aspirations and the ability to measure genuine progress.

South Asian Young Adults and Gender Roles: Expectations, Expressions, and Intimate Partner Violence Prevention

The goals of the researchers who conducted this study were to explore South Asian young adults' (N = 30) perceptions of gender roles and intimate partner violence (IPV) prevention in South Asian communities in the United States. Three distinct themes (a) gender role socialization and expectations, (b) gender role expression/negotiation within own intimate relationship, family, and own community, and (c) IPV prevention were identified. Important implications include how socialization and acculturation processes, immigration, and other factors influence South Asian young adults' perceptions of IPV in the community.

Exploring perceptions of gender roles amongst sexually active adolescents in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Traditional gender and social norms reinforce asymmetrical power relations, increase the risk of experiencing gender-based violence and mediate poor engagement with sexual and reproductive health services. This study explored gender norms and expectations amongst cisgender adolescents in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A purposive sample of 29 adolescents aged 16-19 years old were enrolled as part of a longitudinal qualitative study. The current analysis reports on the first round of in-depth interviews, which focused on the role of men and women in their community. A theoretically informed thematic analysis identified three broad themes: 1) Adolescent interpretation and understanding of gender identity, 2) Gendered essentialism and Gender roles (two sub-themes: Young men: Power through providing, and Young women: The domestication process which highlighted that gender roles were defined by being the provider for men, and the successful fulfilment of traditional domestic behaviours amongst women), 3) Gender and fertility highlighted how participants highly valued fertility as affirming of manhood/womanhood. These norms reinforce gender roles that maintain asymmetrical power relations, carrying them over into adulthood. The subtle social pressure to prove fertility could have unintended consequences for driving teenage pregnancy. Structural, gender-based interventions emphasising positive gender-role development in early childhood are needed.

Preventing Teen Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study of the Perspectives of Parenting and Expecting Latino Adolescents

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Latino youths in the United States experience disproportionately high rates of teen pregnancy. The aim of this study was to obtain expecting and parenting Latino adolescents' perspectives regarding factors contributing to teen pregnancy and pregnancy prevention.

METHODS

Expecting/parenting Latino adolescents were recruited from high schools with high proportions of Latino youths and teen pregnancy. Participants completed a questionnaire on sociodemographic and background characteristics. Focus groups were stratified by age and gender and audio recorded. Grounded theory was used to identify themes from the transcribed audio recordings.

RESULTS

Thirty-two expecting/parenting Latino adolescents (20 females, 12 males) 14-19 years old participated in four focus groups. Quantitative results revealed that two-thirds of participants at birth had adolescent mothers. Over three-quarters of participants reported that their pregnancies had occurred too soon. Qualitative themes for factors contributing to teen pregnancy included lack of contraceptive knowledge/access, belief of invincibility, influence within relationships, male decisions on contraceptive use, desire to belong among peers, lack of parental support for contraceptive use, lack of parental attention, rebellion, normalization of adolescent parenthood in Latino culture, and media. Themes for pregnancy prevention included time alone with physicians, parenting teens as mentors, reproductive health education, and community pregnancy-prevention programs.

CONCLUSION

Multiple factors contribute to teen pregnancy in Latino youth, including influences from Latino culture, family, peers, partners, and social determinants of health. Pregnancy prevention should incorporate interventions to address these aspects, including disseminating culturally sensitive education materials, providing parenting teens as peer mentors, encouraging time alone with health care providers, and addressing various social determinants of health.

High Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in Young Adulthood: Is Prevention Failing?

In the last decades, prevention measures have been taken globally to reduce the high prevalence of intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) in our societies. As a consequence, a gradual reduction in the prevalence of IPVAW in the younger generations should be expected. However, international prevalence data suggest that this is not the case. In the present study, we aim to compare IPVAW-prevalence rates across age groups in the adult population in Spain. We used data from the Spanish 2019 national survey based on 9,568 interviews with women, reporting IPVAW in three time periods: lifetime, the last 4 years, and the last year. To ensure accurate comparisons of IPVAW-prevalence rates across age groups, we first examined the psychometric properties, and measurement invariance of the set of questions addressing the different types of IPVAW (i.e., physical, sexual, psychological) in this survey. Results supported a three-factor latent structure addressing psychological, physical, and sexual IPVAW, showing high-internal consistency and validity evidence. For lifetime prevalence, the youngest age groups (18-24 years) were those with the highest latent mean in psychological and physical IPVAW, with those aged 25 to 34 years having the highest score in sexual IPVAW. Women aged 18 to 24 years showed the highest factor scores in the three types of violence during the last 4 years and during the last year. A number of potential explanatory hypotheses are proposed to better understand the high prevalence of IPVAW among younger generations. The reason why IPVAW prevalence remains alarmingly high among young women, despite the preventive measures taken in recent years, is a research question that remains open. Prevention efforts should target younger generations if IPVAW is to be eradicated in the long term. However, this goal will only be achieved if those prevention efforts prove to be effective.

Intimate Partner Violence and the Sexual Health of Sexual Minority Men

Purpose: This qualitative study explores the pathways by which various forms of intimate partner violence (IPV) impact the sexual health behaviors of cisgender identified sexual minority men (SMM). Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 racially and ethnically diverse SMM who recently experienced IPV and 10 clinical and social service providers focused on how experiences of IPV directly or indirectly influences sexual risk as well as engagement in HIV prevention behaviors (e.g., pre-exposure prophylaxis [PrEP] use). Applied thematic analysis, including cycles of analytic memo writing and coding, aided the identification of patterns across the data. Results: Analyses yielded three overarching themes: use of condoms, use of PrEP, and HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Participants described different ways condom use or nonuse was a mechanism by which power and/or control might be asserted by one partner over the other partner. A range of responses to questions about PrEP were identified, including partners encouraging PrEP use, as well as avoidance of conversations about PrEP or actual PrEP use, to prevent experiencing aggression or IPV from partners. Responses regarding HIV/STIs included those ranging from a new diagnosis being a potential trigger for violence to the exploitation of status to control partners. Conclusion: These findings suggest that in relationships with IPV, HIV prevention strategies can be sources of relationship control and trigger abuse. Addressing IPV may help to prevent HIV/STI transmission and promote the health of SMM. In addition, long-acting formulations of PrEP may be a promising strategy for SMM experiencing IPV when oral PrEP medications may be a risk factor for violence.

Gender and Media Representations: A Review of the Literature on Gender Stereotypes, Objectification and Sexualization

Media representations play an important role in producing sociocultural pressures. Despite social and legal progress in civil rights, restrictive gender-based representations appear to be still very pervasive in some contexts. The article explores scientific research on the relationship between media representations and gender stereotypes, objectification and sexualization, focusing on their presence in the cultural context. Results show how stereotyping, objectifying and sexualizing representations appear to be still very common across a number of contexts. Exposure to stereotyping representations appears to strengthen beliefs in gender stereotypes and endorsement of gender role norms, as well as fostering sexism, harassment and violence in men and stifling career-related ambitions in women. Exposure to objectifying and sexualizing representations appears to be associated with the internalization of cultural ideals of appearance, endorsement of sexist attitudes and tolerance of abuse and body shame. In turn, factors associated with exposure to these representations have been linked to detrimental effects on physical and psychological well-being, such as eating disorder symptomatology, increased body surveillance and poorer body image quality of life. However, specificities in the pathways from exposure to detrimental effects on well-being are involved for certain populations that warrant further research.

Substance Use and Violence Victimization Among Women: A Review of Relevant Literature

A review of the recent scientific literature on the relationship between substance use and violence victimization among women in the United States is presented. Systematic review methodology adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses guidelines. In total, 15 studies were identified that met inclusion criteria. There is substantial evidence suggesting substance use (e.g., severity of use, types of substances used) is associated with women's violent victimization histories. Evidence suggests that women are uniquely situated in illicit drug markets and other illicit economies in a manner that increases their risk for violent victimization. The strengths and shortcomings of current theoretical explanations of substance use and violence victimization are discussed, as well as considerations for future research and interventions.

Reported Perpetration of Intimate Partner Violence among Adolescent Girls: Motivations and IPV Victimization

Background: Studies on intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration by girls and women have found self-defense is a common motivation. Current items—namely the abbreviated items from the Conflicts Tactics Scale (CTS)—used to measure IPV perpetration may be counting these girls/women as perpetrators when they are victims of IPV. The purpose of this study was to assess adolescent girls’ IPV perpetration, including (a) motivations and (b) factors associated with reports of adolescent girls’ perpetration of IPV using standard abbreviated CTS measures. Methods: This study utilized cross-sectional survey data collected from 159 participants in an urban Southern California clinic in 2016–2018. Demographic variables—age, ethnicity, current school enrollment, living situation and born in the U.S.—were analyzed with chi-square or independent t-tests. Frequency analyses were used to quantify motivations for IPV perpetration. Crude and adjusted logistic regression models assessed key variables associated with female adolescents’ IPV perpetration: victimization, drug use, alcohol day, binge drinking, depression, anxiety, and suicide ideation. A final multivariate model further adjusted for IPV victimization. Results: The average age of participants was 17 years old, and the majority of participants were Hispanic. Primary motivations for adolescent girls’ IPV perpetration included self-defense. Adolescent girls who reported IPV perpetration had significantly greater odds of victimization [95% CI = 4.31–32.07], drug use [95% CI = 1.14–6.99], binge drinking [95% CI = 1.08–6.87], and suicide ideation [95% CI = 1.13–10.62]. These findings remained significant in models adjusted for significant demographics. In the final multivariate regression model adjusted for IPV victimization, none of these factors remained significantly related to adolescent girls’ IPV perpetration. Conclusions: Findings establish a connection between victimization, self-defense, and adolescent girls’ IPV perpetration. These findings add to existing literature suggesting that the CTS measures of perpetration may encompass both IPV victimization and perpetration when used with populations of girls and women.

Perceived Realism and Wishful Identification: College Students' Perceptions of Alcohol Ads and Their Intentions to Sexually Coerce with or Without Using Alcohol

Sexual coercion is a serious health problem in the United States, and it is the most prevalent form of sexual victimization that occurs on college campuses. The present study aimed to identify factors, such as exposure to objectified women in alcohol advertisements, that may contribute to college students' intentions to sexually coerce with alcohol use and without alcohol use. We also investigated the potential effects of gender stereotypes, wishful identification of alcohol ads, perceived realism of alcohol ads, and alcohol expectancies related to sexual enhancement on students' intentions to coerce. An online experiment was conducted with 1208 students from a large Northwestern university. Participants were randomly assigned to two conditions in which they were exposed to alcohol advertisements that included either highly objectified images of women or low-objectified images of women. The regression analyses indicate beliefs in gender stereotypes were the most consistent predictor across women and men's sexually coercive intentions, regardless if alcohol was used. Wishful identification with models in alcohol advertisements was positively associated with intentions to coerce, and perceived realism of alcohol ads was negatively associated with intentions to coerce. For college men's intentions to sexually coerce using alcohol, there were significant interaction effects between exposure to highly objectified advertisements and gender stereotypes. For women's intentions to sexually coerce using alcohol, the interaction between wishful identification and perceived realism was significant. Education efforts are needed to deal with the endorsement of gender stereotypes on college campuses. Media literacy may help college students critically evaluate portrayals of women in the media, and thus, in turn, may help lower intentions to sexually coerce.

Gender Equitable Attitudes, Rape Myth Acceptance, and Perceived Peer Approval of Violence as Correlates of High School Boys' Intention to Garner Sexual Consent

The current study examines correlates of high school boys' intentions to garner consent in a future sexual encounter (N = 816). Bivariate correlation analyses demonstrated that increased intention to garner sexual consent was negatively correlated with rape myth acceptance and perceived peer acceptance of violence, and positively correlated with gender equitable attitudes. In multivariate linear regression analyses, perceived peer acceptance of violence and gender equitable attitudes remained significant in relation to intentions to garner sexual consent. Specifically, boys who reported a greater likelihood of perceiving their peers as accepting of violence and a lower likelihood of holding gender equitable attitudes also reported a lower likelihood to garner sexual consent. These findings highlight the importance of developing sexual assault prevention programs for high school boys that address the complex relationships between perceived peer norms, harmful gender role expectancies, and risk for sexual aggression. Results from this study also add to the existing literature on sexual consent communication in adolescents.

Intimate partner violence perpetration and sexual risk behaviour: Identifying shared determinants among young men in Tanzania

In this study we examined factors that predict involvement in different patterns of sexual risk behavior and IPV perpetration among young men in Tanzania (n = 979), with a focus on identifying factors that distinguish men who engage in both behaviours from those who do not. Risk factors were drawn from three domains thought to be upstream drivers of both IPV and sexual risk: poverty, adverse childhood experiences, and inequitable gender norms. A three-step latent class analysis was used to assess whether and how factors from each domain distinguished subgroups of men whose behaviour patterns were characterised as comorbid (involvement in IPV and sexual risk behaviour), IPV-only, sexual risk only, and normative (low risk). Consistent with expectations, greater food insecurity, adverse childhood experiences, and inequitable gender norms related to violence and sexual behaviour predicted increased risk of membership in the comorbid group compared to other sub-groups. Findings support the promise of integrated prevention programmes targeting the common causes of IPV perpetration and sexual risk behaviour.

Examining the Role of National Context: Do Country Conditions During Childhood Impact Perpetration of Dating Violence in Emerging Adulthood?

The link between individual experiences in early childhood or adolescence years and future dating violence (DV) perpetration has been well established and explored across various populations. However, little is known on a worldwide scale, about the association between national conditions during childhood, like overall well-being or status of women in that nation, and perpetration of DV in emerging adulthood. Applying life-course theory and a socioecological framework to data from the International Dating Violence Study and country index scores, this study examines whether the overall well-being of a country during childhood affects the perpetration of DV in emerging adulthood. We also examine if the national status of women during childhood moderates the association between overall well-being of a country during childhood and DV perpetration in emerging adulthood, all while controlling for the individual effects of gender, violence approval, criminal history, neglect history, and anger management. The study's sample size included 4,280 people from 19 countries. Men reported less likelihood of perpetrating DV compared to women. Cross national comparative analysis revealed a significant interaction effect between country well-being and women status on DV perpetration (β = 0.69, p < .05) at the national level. When women's status was low or moderate, the well-being status showed an inverse effect on the probability of DV perpetration, but this direction switched in the face of high women's status. Contrary to previous research, higher women status may contribute to increased intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration. Our findings underscore the existence of context-specific social conditions in relationship to IPV. Broad implications of the findings, potential explanations and directions for future research are discussed.

Family Violence, Personality Traits, and Risk Behaviors: Links to Dating Violence Victimization and Perpetration Among College Students

Though dating violence (DV) is prevalent on college campuses, few studies have examined a multitude of risk factors that may better explain this process. As such, we examined the role of family violence (i.e., childhood physical abuse, witnessing parental violence), personality traits (i.e., entitlement, antisocial personality [ASP] and borderline personality [BP]) and risk behaviors (i.e., risky sexual behaviors, heavy drinking, marijuana use, illicit drug use) on DV victimization and perpetration among 783 college students. Path analysis revealed that witnessing parental violence was linked to DV perpetration while experiencing more physical abuse was positively correlated with entitlement (females only), ASP traits, and BP traits. ASP traits (both males and females) and entitlement (females only) were directly associated with high-risk behaviors. Among females, entitlement was also indirectly associated with DV victimization and perpetration through sexual risk behaviors. Findings highlight the importance of histories of physical abuse and personality traits in understanding DV.

Associations of Gender Dissatisfaction with Adolescent Mental Distress and Sexual Victimization

Gender dissatisfaction is often linked to adverse health outcomes and is an under-researched area of adolescent health. The aim of our study was to examine the associations of gender dissatisfaction with adolescent mental distress and sexual victimization. We conducted a cross-sectional study in April 2019 using a computerized self-administered questionnaire to collect data on the gender dissatisfaction, mental distress, and sexual victimization among Chinese adolescents. We used multivariate logistic models to estimate sex-stratified adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations of gender dissatisfaction with mental distress and sexual victimization. Our study involved 538 female and 556 male students from grades 7 to 11. Among the female students, gender dissatisfaction was significantly associated with depression (AOR, 2.04, 95%CI, 1.17–3.58), anxiety (AOR, 2.13, 95%CI, 2.00–2.27), suicidal ideation (AOR, 2.36, 95%CI, 2.02–2.76), sexting victimization (AOR, 1.67, 95%CI, 1.11–2.51), and nonphysical sexual harassment (AOR, 1.72, 95%CI, 1.08–2.76). Among the male students, gender dissatisfaction was significantly associated with oral-–genital contact (AOR, 5.86, 95%CI, 2.74–12.54), attempted sexual assault (AOR, 9.63, 95%CI, 6.91–13.42), and completed sexual assault (AOR, 14.71, 95%CI, 1.16–187.33). Our findings suggest gender dissatisfaction is associated with adolescent mental distress and sexual victimization, underscoring the importance of implementing comprehensive sexual education with gender perspectives in China.

Understanding the Impact of Intimate Partner Violence Type and Timing on Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Knowledge, Acceptability, Sexual Behavior, and Gender Roles Among Women of Color

Knowledge and acceptability are key factors for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among women with a history of intimate partner violence (IPV) and research suggests that different types of IPV affect PrEP uptake differently. Few studies have examined whether the type (i.e., physical, sexual, and psychological) and timing (i.e., lifetime, past year) of IPV experiences are related to PrEP knowledge and acceptability, or whether gender roles and sexual risk behaviors affect PrEP use. We aimed to examine the associations between lifetime and past-year physical, sexual, and psychological IPV experiences on PrEP-related outcomes (i.e., knowledge, acceptability, sexual behavior if on PrEP) and the association between gender roles and PrEP-related outcomes. A total of 186 women of color at risk for HIV participated in this study, of whom 54% had ever experienced partner violence. Results showed that lifetime psychological (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.1-9.4) and lifetime physical IPV (OR 5.5, 95% CI 1.2-18.9) were significantly associated with increased PrEP knowledge. lifetime psychological (OR 6.3, 95% CI 1.0-13.6) and lifetime physical IPV (OR 4.3, 95% CI 4.3-11.5) were significantly associated with increased sexual behavior if on PrEP. Past year physical IPV was significantly associated with interest in using PrEP (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.7-4.3) and with sexual behavior if on PrEP (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.1-13.1). Being subordinate to others was also significantly associated with interest in using PrEP (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2-2.4) Self-silencing was significantly associated with increased sexual behavior if on PrEP (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.5). Gender norms and IPV type and timing can influence whether a person is interested in PrEP use. Both lifetime and past-year IPV experiences need to be examined in the context of gender norms when prescribing PrEP to encourage uptake and continuation among vulnerable women at risk for HIV.

Does Friend Support Matter? The Association between Gender Role Attitudes and School Bullying among Male Adolescents in China

This study investigated the association between gender role attitudes, perceived friend support, and school bullying among male adolescents from 11 schools in two cities in China. A total of 3172 Chinese adolescents between 12 and 20 years of age (48.80% girls and 51.20% boys) completed questionnaires that included measures of bullying, gender role attitudes, and perceived social support. In terms of outcome measures, the Chinese version of the Illinois Bully Scale (IBS), Attitudes toward Women Scale for Adolescents (AWSA), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were used to assess bullying perpetration, gender role attitudes, and perceived friend support, respectively. Based on masculinity theories and the stress-buffering theory, the study found that male adolescents held more traditional gender role attitudes (t = 30.78, p < 0.001) and reported higher prevalence of bullying behaviors (36.02%) than girls (31.20%). In addition, boys’ bullying behaviors were significantly predicted by gender role attitudes through perceived friend support. That is, male youth with more conservative gender role attitudes reported less perceived friend support (adjusted OR = 1.055; SE = 0.013), which elevated their risks of bullying perpetration (adjusted OR = 2.082; SE = 0.302). These findings have critical implications for bullying intervention and prevention through gender equity education.

Predictors of Sexual Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Among Men: A Prospective Analysis

Research demonstrates that both peer socialization and underage drinking play a significant role in teen dating violence. However, less is known about the lasting effects of these risk factors on boys' ability to form healthy romantic relationships as they get older. The present study examined whether boys who perceived their peers would respect them more for having sex and those who engaged in past year heavy alcohol use would be more likely to perpetrate sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) in young adulthood compared to boys who did not endorse perceived peer approval for sex or report past year heavy drinking. Analyses were conducted using a sample of boys (n = 1,189) from Waves I and III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). A logistic regression was conducted to assess the relationship between perceived peer approval to have sex and heavy alcohol use at Wave I and sexual IPV at Wave III, after adjusting for demographic factors and other correlates of sexual IPV at Wave I, including age, race/ethnicity, sexual initiation in adolescence, parental attachment, annual family income, and neighborhood poverty. Boys who believed they would gain peer respect by having sex and boys who reported getting drunk in the last 12 months, regardless of how often, were significantly more likely to report sexual IPV in young adulthood compared to boys who did not endorse either of these factors. Targeting boys' perceived peer norms regarding sexual activity and heavy alcohol use may therefore be especially important for preventing sexual IPV later in life.

Childhood maltreatment class and sexually violent behavior among university men in Vietnam

Background

Sexual violence against women remains a global public health problem, with Southeast Asia having among the highest rates of violence victimization globally. Exposure to violence in adolescence--a highly prevalent experience in Vietnam--is associated with later perpetration of violence against others. However, childhood maltreatment as a latent construct is understudied, with most analyses focusing on theoretical categories, potentially missing key patterns of victimization, particularly poly-victimization. Poor understanding of these experience limits researchers’ ability to predict and intervene upon cyclical perpetration of violence. This study aims to identify latent classes of childhood maltreatment, and to test associations between class membership and sexually violent behavior during the first 12 months of university in a sample of Vietnamese men.

Methods and findings

Heterosexual and bisexual men aged 18–24 matriculating into two universities in Hanoi were recruited for the randomized controlled trial of GlobalConsent, a six-module online sexual-violence prevention program. Participants (N = 793) completed a baseline survey, were randomized 1:1 to GlobalConsent or attention control, and were invited to complete post-test surveys at six-months post-baseline and 12-months post-baseline. Validated scales were employed to assess childhood maltreatment and past-six-month sexually violent behavior at each post-test. Latent class analysis identified four classes of childhood maltreatment: Limited-to-no, physical, physical and emotional, and poly-victimization. Associations between childhood maltreatment class and sexually violent behavior demonstrate a threshold effect, wherein poly-victimized men were significantly more likely than men in other classes to have engaged in sexually violent behavior during the 12-month follow-up period.

Conclusions

There is a vital need for screening and intervention with men who have experienced childhood maltreatment in Vietnam to prevent future violence perpetration. Education is needed to break the cycle of violence intergenerationally and in romantic relationships by changing harmful norms around men's sexual privilege and the normalization of childhood maltreatment.

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Exposure to childhood maltreatment is associated with later perpetration of violence.

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Sexual violence against women remains a global health concern.

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Latent classes identify patterns of maltreatment associated with later sexual violence.

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Polyvictimization is associated with sexual violence perpetration beyond other latent classes.

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Understanding these associations allows for intervention upon cyclical perpetration of violence.

Family Matters: The Impact of Traditional and Egalitarian Gender Role Messages on Sexual and Gender Minority Latinx Adults' Alcohol Use and Sexual Risk

Latinx sexual and gender minority individuals are at increased risk for engaging in risky sexual behavior given the intersection of their sexual orientation and ethnic identities. Many studies have found that sexual and gender minority Latinx folks experience nonacceptance and discrimination from within their families due to their identity. However, none have explored how underlying familial beliefs, such as traditional and egalitarian gender roles, influence sexual and gender minority Latinx adults' risky sexual behavior. Within a sample of 168 Latinx sexual and gender minority individuals, the present study examined the indirect effect of receiving traditional and egalitarian parental gender role messages on risky sexual behavior through alcohol use and internalized stigma related to their sexual and gender minority identity. Results showed that traditional gender role messages were indirectly associated with increased risky sexual behavior through increased alcohol use, whereas no such indirect effect was found through internalized stigma. Receiving egalitarian gender role messages was not associated with risky sexual behaviors. Findings from this paper can be used to tailor community outreach programs that aim to reduce sexual risk behaviors and alcohol use in the Latinx sexual and gender minority community as a result of traditional parental gender role messages.

Gender-Based Violence and Factors Associated with Victimization among Female Entertainment Workers in Cambodia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Women working in the entertainment industry are confronted with various forms of gender-based violence (GBV). However, their vulnerability remains understudied, particularly in resource-limited settings. This study aims to examine the prevalence of GBV among female entertainment workers (FEWs) in Cambodia and identify factors associated with victimization. We conducted a cross-sectional study in November 2018 for the impact evaluation of a randomized controlled trial. We used a stratified random sampling method to recruit 600 FEWs from different entertainment venues in the capital city and three other provinces. Female data collectors administered a structured questionnaire, and we performed multiple logistic regression analyses. Of the total, 60.5% had experienced a form of GBV during their lifetime; of whom, 37.5% experienced the GBV in the past 6 months. The prevalence of emotional abuse, forced substance use, physical abuse, and forced sex was 51.5%, 25.0%, 20.6%, and 2.9%, respectively. Forced substance use and forced sex were mainly perpetrated by clients, physical abuse by intimate partners, and emotional abuse by others such as entertainment establishment owners or managers. FEWs victimized by clients (relative risk ratio [RRR] = 0.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.07, 0.53]) and others (RRR = 0.11, 95% CI = [0.03, 0.44]) were less likely to be married compared with victims of intimate partner violence. Factors associated with sexual harassment were working in beer gardens (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.39, 95% CI = [1.20, 4.73]) and restaurants/cafés (aOR = 1.65, 95% CI = [1.01, 2.69]), and having higher acceptance of violence against women (aOR = 1.12, 95% CI = [1.01, 1.24]). FEWs in Cambodia experience high levels and unique forms of GBV as they are confronted with different types of perpetrators. Interventions need to be tailored to fit the specific needs of FEWs. Interventions aimed at reducing client-perpetrated violence should specifically focus on forced substance use and forced sex, while physical abuse by intimate partners should also be addressed.

Physical intimate partner violence in India: how much does childhood socialisation matter?

While a large number of studies assumed gendered socialisation leads to partner abuse, little evidence exists for India. We bridge this crucial gap by exploring the pathways between childhood socialisation and intimate partner violence, using data 'Youth in India: Situation and Need Study (2006-2007)' for 5573 young married men (15-29 years). Nearly 17 per cent of men inflicted physical IPV in the past 12 months. Seventy-seven per cent recognized the experience of gender discrimination in their family and reported exposure to violence in two ways-one-third witnessed fathers abusing their mothers and 48 per cent were beaten by their parents. Adverse childhood experiences were associated with IPV perpetration. The structural equation model indicated significant pathways between IPV and childhood socialisation in the forms of experienced violence and gender discrimination. Findings underscore the importance of a violence-free, gender-neutral family environment for young generations and call for a comprehensive policy to ameliorate the impacts of IPV.

Safer Sex Self-Efficacy Among Women With Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence

Women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors that increase the likelihood of adverse sexual health outcomes, including HIV acquisition. This study explored key predictors of safer sex self-efficacy in a sample of racially/ethnically diverse abused women. A total of 173 women were recruited from domestic violence agencies and completed a battery of measures that assessed risk factors associated with HIV risk. Both individual- and relationship-level predictors of safer sex self-efficacy were examined, including IPV, partner dependence, HIV knowledge, condom attitudes, self-esteem, and alcohol use. Hierarchical linear regression analysis results indicated several key predictors for safer sex self-efficacy, including IPV (B = -0.01, p < .05), partner dependence (B = -0.45, p < .001), condom attitudes (B = 0.63, p < .001), and alcohol use (B = - 0.24, p < .05). It is evident that a number of individual- and relationship-level factors affect the degree of safer sex self-efficacy among abused women. In work with this population, researchers and clinicians should intentionally attend to the identified predictors to most effectively address the needs of these women.

Silent and Lethal: Consequences of Sexual Violence Against Married Women in Ghana

Extant research, mostly in western countries, confirms the consequences of sexual violence against women, but academic scholarship on this topic remains scant for Ghana. This study built on existing research by exploring the consequences of sexual violence against married women in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Data were obtained from in-depth interviews purposely conducted with 15 survivors of sexual violence. The thematic analysis showed that sexual violence was accompanied by physical and emotional abuse. Following sexual violence and abuse, these women experienced physical injuries, psychological problems, sexual and reproductive health problems, and suicidal ideations. These health difficulties significantly undermined their economic activities and depleted their income. Sexual violence clearly affects women's empowerment; campaigns against gender-based violence should make sexual violence a top priority in Ghana and elsewhere.

Domestic violence detection amid the COVID-19 pandemic: the value of the WHO questionnaire in emergency medicine

BACKGROUND

Gender-based violence affects 35-45% of women worldwide, mostly coming from domestic violence. A good screening procedure in clinical practice is useful, but WHO does not advise universal screening, recommending further research.

AIM

(i) To report the frequency of domestic violence cases among admissions to the Emergency Room of a major Italian Hospital in 2020, including during complete 'Lockdown' period; (ii) to document acute and chronic health effects of domestic violence and (iii) to asses usefulness of the WHO screening as a tool for uncovering cases which would otherwise remain hidden.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A database containing all the information recorded for each of 19 160 patients in the Emergency Room was constructed by a keyword search ('violence', 'assault', 'trauma') to filter the data and retrieve cases of violence in the period between 1 January and 2 June 2020. The self-administered questionnaire of the WHO Multi-country Study on Women's Health and Domestic Violence against Women was used in women referred to the emergency room for any cause, excluding trauma.

RESULTS

A recent history of domestic violence was disclosed by 22.67%, after completing the WHO questionnaire. Of those not participating in the survey, diagnosis of domestic violence was only 0.6% (128/19 160).

CONCLUSION

Power of detection of domestic violence by the WHO questionnaire is very high, while the frequency of occurrence of these events in this population was considerable. Seemingly, it elicits the responsiveness to the topic of the volunteer interviewees. Its use should be firmly recommended, reasonably, while Covid-19 pandemic is affecting health, rights and response.

Domestic violence detection amid the COVID-19 pandemic: the value of the WHO questionnaire in emergency medicine

BACKGROUND

Gender-based violence affects 35-45% of women worldwide, mostly coming from domestic violence. A good screening procedure in clinical practice is useful, but WHO does not advise universal screening, recommending further research.

AIM

(i) To report the frequency of domestic violence cases among admissions to the Emergency Room of a major Italian Hospital in 2020, including during complete 'Lockdown' period; (ii) to document acute and chronic health effects of domestic violence and (iii) to asses usefulness of the WHO screening as a tool for uncovering cases which would otherwise remain hidden.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A database containing all the information recorded for each of 19 160 patients in the Emergency Room was constructed by a keyword search ('violence', 'assault', 'trauma') to filter the data and retrieve cases of violence in the period between 1 January and 2 June 2020. The self-administered questionnaire of the WHO Multi-country Study on Women's Health and Domestic Violence against Women was used in women referred to the emergency room for any cause, excluding trauma.

RESULTS

A recent history of domestic violence was disclosed by 22.67%, after completing the WHO questionnaire. Of those not participating in the survey, diagnosis of domestic violence was only 0.6% (128/19 160).

CONCLUSION

Power of detection of domestic violence by the WHO questionnaire is very high, while the frequency of occurrence of these events in this population was considerable. Seemingly, it elicits the responsiveness to the topic of the volunteer interviewees. Its use should be firmly recommended, reasonably, while Covid-19 pandemic is affecting health, rights and response.

"A Dad Can Get the Money and the Mom Stays at Home": Patriarchal Gender Role Attitudes, Intimate Partner Violence, Historical Oppression, and Resilience Among Indigenous Peoples

Research has shown that gender role attitudes influence a number of health-related outcomes, including intimate partner violence (IPV). Yet the gender role attitudes of Indigenous peoples - a population that experiences persistent health and violence disparities - have received scant scholarly attention. Using the Framework of Historical Oppression, Resilience, and Transcendence (FHORT), the purpose of this mixed methodology was to qualitatively explore U.S. Indigenous peoples' gender role attitudes and quantitatively examine how key social determinants of health, including IPV perpetration, historical oppression, and resilience, relate to gender role attitudes. This research integrates qualitative and quantitative data from two Southeastern tribes with a total of 563 unique data sources. Regression analysis revealed male sex and IPV victimization were associated with higher patriarchal gender role attitudes, while historical oppression and resilience were associated with lower patriarchal gender role attitudes. Resilience was also associated with lower "victim blaming." Ethnographic team-based data analysis methods revealed qualitative themes of patriarchal gender role attitudes and gendered socialization processes. This work highlights how key aspects of the FHORT might explain Indigenous peoples' patriarchal gender role attitudes, suggesting the need to redress historical oppression and patriarchal roles through decolonization.

Heterosexual Cisgender Men Partnered with Transgender Women Exhibit Higher HIV/STI Sexual Risk than Their Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Counterparts: Findings from a U.S.-Based Convenience Sample Recruited Online

Cisgender men are frequently vectors for HIV transmission among transgender women. Despite this, the correlates of sexual risk among these men remain under-examined. The purpose of the present study was to explore potential differences in relationship characteristics, sexual risk-taking, and risk-reduction strategies among cisgender men partnered with transgender women. The study utilized secondary screening data provided by adult cis men who reported being in a primary relationship with a trans woman (N = 710). Gay men (18%) were comparatively older, and most likely to report both HIV seropositivity and committed pairings. Heterosexual men (14%) were more likely to report exchange sex, briefer relationships, extra-dyadic sex, lesser serostatus awareness or PrEP uptake. Queer men (7%) were youngest, and most likely to access PrEP. Heterosexual cis men with trans women partners may be subject to unique socio-cultural drivers of sexual risk, such as heteronormative pressures and relationship stigma.

The influence of men's masculine gender-role attitude and behaviour on sexual relationships and reproductive health in Malaysia: A cross-sectional study

Background

This article is an extension of a previous research on masculinity and sexual and reproductive health using a newly developed local masculinity scale, KANITA Masculinity Scale, to study men's masculine gender-role attitude and behavior in Malaysia.

Objective

To explore how Malaysian men's masculine gender-role attitude and behavior influence sexual relationships and reproductive health.

Materials and Methods

This cross-sectional study used the localized gender-equitable men scale to measure the attitude of Malaysian men toward sexual relationships and reproductive health. A questionnaire survey was administered to a sample of 168 men of ages 20-64 yr, in Malaysia. Data were analyzed using SmartPLS version 3.2.6.

Results

The findings of the study showed that men's traditional behavior and controlling nature are positively associated with the inequality in sexual relationships (p < 0.05, t = 1.838; and p < 0.05, t = 3.750, respectively) and reproductive health (p < 0.05, t = 2.196; and p < 0.05, t = 4.133, respectively). In other words, men who offer stronger endorsement of traditional behavior and control over women report more negative condom attitude and greater priority of men's desire in sexual relationships. In contrast, there was no significant relationship between men's response to family and feminine roles in men with sexual relationships and reproductive health.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the importance of considering traditional masculinity ideology when considering the role of men in sexual relationships and reproductive health. Our findings suggest gender transformative policies and programs seeking to inspire men for more gender-equitable relationships with their partners.

"Change Really Does Need to Start From Home": Impact of an Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Strategy Among Married Couples in Nepal

Approximately 54% of women in rural Nepal report lifetime physical or sexual violence. The Change Starts at Home project is a primary prevention strategy to reduce and prevent marital intimate partner violence (IPV). This study analyzed in-depth interviews with 17 married couples (n = 34 individuals) at intervention midline and end line. Case-based analysis and thematic summaries were used to assess change, couple concordance, and gendered reporting patterns at midline. Individual changes included husband's alcohol use and roaming tendencies. Relationship-level changes comprised labor roles, communication, decision making, conflict resolution, and experience of IPV. End line interviews were analyzed to understand sustenance of change within these same individual and relationship dynamics. Results indicate promising shifts in men's individual behavior and marital dynamics, which underpin IPV risk.

The Role of Individual Differences in Cyber Dating Abuse Perpetration

There is a growing research interest in cyber dating abuse (CDA). CDA includes abusive online behavior toward a current or former intimate partner, such as aggression, control, harassment, and humiliation. Despite the potential overlap and reciprocal relationship of CDA and intimate partner violence, there remains considerable paucity in research exploring predictors of this abusive online behavior. In the current study, we adopt the General Aggression Model framework and explore the role of gender, hegemonic masculinity, vulnerable narcissism, and sexual aggression myths to predict perpetration of CDA. Participants (N = 415, 51 percent women; Mage = 32.68 years) were recruited via social media advertisements and completed an anonymous, confidential online questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised the Conformity to Masculine Roles Norms Inventory, the Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale, the Acceptance of Modern Myths About Sexual Aggression Scale, and a modified Cyber Aggression in Relationships Scale. A hierarchical regression analysis indicated that hegemonic masculinity, vulnerable narcissism, and sexual aggression myths were all significant positive predictors of perpetrating CDA. As gender was a significant predictor until the inclusion of these variables, a multiple mediation analysis was performed, indicating that both hegemonic masculinity and sexual aggression myths fully mediated the relationship between gender and perpetrating CDA. These results add to the growing body of research exploring how CDA emerges as a behavior and highlight possible implications for management and intervention.

Women's Experiences of Sexual Violence in Intimate Relationships: Applying a New Taxonomy

How do women describe their experiences of sexual violence in their intimate relationships? In answering this question, the present article builds upon a newly developed taxonomy of intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV). Women with past or present intimate partner violence experience (N = 28) were recruited from a domestic violence program and the community at large. Data were collected with semistructured, in-person interviews, audio recorded, and transcribed. As defined by the taxonomy, 27 women (96%) experienced intimate partner sexual abuse; 19 (68%) experienced intimate partner sexual coercion; 14 (50%) experienced intimate partner sexual assault; and two (7%) experienced intimate partner-forced sexual activity. Intimate partner sexual abuse was central to women's experiences of IPSV. Common categories of sexual abuse were having sex outside of the relationship, controlling reproductive decisions, degrading with sexual criticism and insults, refusing communication, denying pleasure, and withholding sex. The types of IPSV did not typically occur in isolation; the taxonomy revealed a grouping pattern, with intimate partner sexual assault and intimate partner sexual coercion co-occurring with sexual abuse. Understanding the different types of IPSV as a comprehensive mechanism of sexual control is a meaningful way to conceptualize sexual violence in intimate relationships. The expanded taxonomy provides a useful therapeutic tool in helping women share and heal from these experiences.

Determinants of Sexual Violence Against Married Women: Qualitative Evidence From Ghana

Some evidence suggests that in sub-Saharan Africa, sexual violence is commonplace among married women, yet this problem is underresearched. Using qualitative methods and applying Heise's social-ecological model, this study examined the experiences of 15 Ghanaian women suffering sexual violence in their marriages. Results from the thematic analysis indicate several determinants of sexual violence. Whereas some participants identified macro-level and exosystem factors, including poverty, others pointed to micro-level and ontogenic factors, such as husbands' substance abuse. The results corroborate the core idea of Heise's framework, namely, that structural- and individual-level factors make women vulnerable to violence. The study concludes that Ghanaian legal and policy frameworks must be enforced and strengthened to address the etiology of sexual violence and abuse.

A Structural Equation Model of the Effect of Masculinity and Avoidant Coping on Gay and Bisexual Men's Sexual Risk-Taking

This study aims to extend the scientific knowledge base on the association between masculine norm adherence and sexual risk-taking, in the context of gay and bisexual men, by examining emotional suppression, social support seeking, and avoidant coping as potential mediating pathways. A sample of 482 gay and bisexual men was recruited. Structural equation modeling was used to assess for mediation. Findings revealed that although gender role conflict and conformity to masculine norms (i.e., the two masculine norm adherence predictor variables) did not have a direct effect on sexual risk-taking, a significant indirect effect was observed for gender role conflict on sexual risk-taking via increased avoidant coping. Accordingly, gender role conflict and avoidant coping may create a unique effect on sexual risk-taking whereby the effect of gender role conflict on sexual risk-taking is not transmitted directly but only indirectly through the mediating role of avoidant coping. Future research directions are discussed.

Person- and Incident-Level Predictors of Blame, Disclosure, and Reporting to Authorities in Rape Scenarios

Rapes perpetrated during college are both common and underreported. Research highlights that several person- and incident-level factors relating to gender and sexuality may diminish reporting, by themselves and as they pertain to attributions of blame for the assault. In this study, male and female college students (N = 916) read vignettes describing a rape perpetrated by a man against a woman, a man against a man, or a woman against a man. Participants rated the blameworthiness of both perpetrator and victim and rated the likelihood that they would disclose the rape to social ties or health services or report it to authorities if they were in the victim's position. We found that male gender and heterosexual orientation predicted higher victim blame, lower perpetrator blame, and lower likelihood of disclosure, although relative endorsement of masculine gender ideology seemed to be driving these associations, as well as predicted lower likelihood of reporting to authorities. Controlling for other factors, vignettes portraying a woman raping a man led to a lower likelihood of disclosing or reporting the assault, compared with a male-on-female rape. We also found that the effects of female-on-male rape and traditional masculine ideologies tied to rape disclosure partially by decreasing blame to the perpetrator, which itself carried a unique influence on decisions to report. Our findings overall indicate that factors related to gender, sexuality, and blame have myriad influences and may contribute to low rates of disclosing rape to important outlets.

Alcohol Use and Risk Factors for Sexual Aggression: Differences According to Relationship Status

The present study examined the ways alcohol use and risk factors for sexual assault perpetration vary by relationship status. Participants included 242 college men (age = 18-22 years) from a northeastern university who identified as being single or in a casual or committed dating relationship with a female partner. ANCOVAs and paired t tests compared individuals who were single, casually dating, and in committed relationships on self-reported alcohol use during sexual situations, beliefs about sexual communication, behavior associated with sexual aggression, and peer approval of sexual aggression. Differences in alcohol use during sexual situations and behavior associated with sexual aggression according to relationship status emerged. Post hoc analyses examining whether alcohol use during sexual situations moderated significant associations between relationship status and behavior associated with sexual aggression suggested that men in committed relationships who endorsed more frequent alcohol use during sexual situations also endorsed more behavior associated with sexual aggression. Findings suggest that individuals in committed relationships who often use alcohol during sexual situations may be at increased risk of sexually aggressive behavior.

Who Is Not Linking to HIV Care in Tennessee - the Benefits of an Intersectional Approach

Introduction

Guided by an intersectional approach, we assessed the association between social categories (individual and combined) on time to linkage to HIV care in Tennessee.

Methods

Tennessee residents diagnosed with HIV from 2012-2016 were included in the analysis (n=3750). Linkage was defined by the first CD4 or HIV RNA test date after HIV diagnosis. We used Cox proportional hazards models to assess the association of time to linkage with individual-level variables. We modeled interactions between race, age, gender, and HIV acquisition risk factor (RF), to understand how these variables jointly influence linkage to care.

Results

Age, race, and gender/RF weAima A. Ahonkhaire strong individual (p < 0.001 for each) and joint predictors of time to linkage to HIV care (p < 0.001 for interaction). Older individuals were more likely to link to care (aHR comparing 40 vs. 30 years, 1.20, 95%CI 1.11-1.29). Blacks were less likely to link to care than Whites (aHR= 0.73, 95% CI: 0.67-0.79). Men who have sex with men (MSM) (aHR = 1.18, 95%CI: 1.03-1.34) and heterosexually active females (females) (aHR = 1.32, 95%CI: 1.14-1.53) were more likely to link to care than heterosexually active males. The three-way interaction between age, race, and gender/RF showed that Black males overall and young, heterosexually active Black males in particular were least likely to establish care.

Conclusions

Racial disparities persist in establishing HIV care in Tennessee, but data highlighting the combined influence of age, race, gender, and sexual orientation suggest that heterosexually active Black males should be an important focus of targeted interventions for linkage to HIV care.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40615-021-01023-6.

A human diversity analysis of culture and gender in Asian American men's intimate partner violence perpetration

This integrative literature review aims to fill the gap in our understanding of the cultural and gendered predictors of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration by Asian American men. A comprehensive search using PsycINFO returned N = 24 peer-reviewed journal articles that examine Asian American men's IPV perpetration and patriarchal gender role norms and that met inclusion criteria. Patriarchal gender role norms consistently predicted IPV perpetration. However, the associations between acculturation/enculturation and IPV perpetration were less clear. Greater enculturation (Asian cultural identification) was associated with more patriarchal gender role norms while greater acculturation (mainstream US cultural identification) was associated with more masculine gender role strain. Additionally, violence in the family of origin consistently predicted later IPV perpetration as an adult. Results suggest that integrating multiple dimensions of human diversity (e.g., culture, gender, and power) in intersectional models may best explain Asian American men's IPV perpetration.

Recovering from an Epidemic of Teen Pregnancy: The Role of Rural Faith Leaders in Building Community Resilience

This study explores the role of faith leaders and congregations in preventing teen pregnancy and enhancing overall health. Seventeen faith-based leaders responded to an invitation to participate. Participants were recruited from two counties within Oklahoma, based on desired community characteristics. Findings were directly related to: (1) the vulnerability of rural communities to negative health outcomes; (2) resiliency of rural faith communities to address health issues; and (3) the adaptive capacity of rural faith leaders and their communities to decrease teen pregnancy and maximize community health. Culturally relevant public health programming is necessary to engage this at risk population; however, it requires engaging faith leaders in efforts to build congregation-based and community-based capacity.

Peer Influence on IPV by Young Adult Males: Investigating the Case for a Social Norms Approach

Nearly 32% of women report experiencing physical violence from an intimate partner and more than 8% report being raped by a significant other in their lifetime. Young people's perceptions that their peers perpetrate relationship violence have been shown to increase the odds of self-reported perpetration. Yet, limited research has been conducted on this relationship as individuals begin to age out of adolescence. The present study sought to examine the link between the perception of peer perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) and self-reported IPV perpetration among a sample of predominately young adult (21-35 years) males. This study also explored the discordance between the perception of peer IPV behavior and self-reported perpetration. Data from 101 male peer dyads (n = 202) were taken from a study on the effects of alcohol and bystander intervention in Atlanta, Georgia. Thirty-six percent (n = 73) of men reported perpetrating physical IPV and 67% (n = 135) reported perpetrating sexual IPV in the past 12 months. Nearly 35% (n = 55) of the sample reported that none of their peers had perpetrated physical IPV, which contradicted their friend's self-report of physical IPV perpetration. Similarly, 68% (n = 115) of the men perceived none of their peers to have perpetrated sexual IPV, which contradicted their friend's self-report of sexual IPV perpetration. Discordance variables were significantly associated with self-reported perpetration for both physical (χ² = 152.7, p < .01) and sexual (χ² = 164.4, p < .01) IPV. These results point to an underestimation of peer IPV perpetration among young adult males. Findings suggest a traditional social norms approach to IPV prevention, which seeks to persuade individuals that negative behaviors are less common than perceived, may not be the best approach given a significant number of men believed their friends were nonviolent when they had perpetrated violence.

An Empirical Exploration Into the Measurement of Rape Culture

Feminist scholars have long argued the presence of a "rape culture" within the United States; however, limited efforts have been made to quantify this construct. A model of rape culture was first proposed in 1980 and expanded in the 1990s in an effort to quantify rape myth acceptance. This model posits that five underlying components make up a rape culture: traditional gender roles, sexism, adversarial sexual beliefs, hostility toward women, and acceptance of violence. Although these components are proposed as cultural phenomenon and thus distinct from individually held beliefs, they have been exclusively explored on an individual level. Thus, to promote exploration of this phenomenon beyond individually held beliefs, the authors adapted a series of well-established measures to assess the perceived peer support of the constructs proposed to underlie rape culture and assess initial reliability and validity in a sample of 314 college students. Following determination of reliability and validity of these adapted measures, a hierarchical confirmatory factor analysis was run to examine the proposed model of rape culture. Results of this study highlight the uniqueness between individual and cultural factors as several items did not translate from an individual (i.e., personal endorsement) to a cultural level (i.e., perceived peer support) and were subsequently removed from the proposed final measurements. Furthermore, initial support for the aforementioned model of rape culture was identified. These findings are crucial given that limited conclusions may be drawn about the existence and in turn eradication of rape culture without an agreed upon definition and source of measurement.

Factors Influencing Malaysian Men's Perceptions of Gender Equity in Family Planning

INTRODUCTION

Various factors influence men's perceptions regarding gender equity in family planning (FP). Identifying these factors can contribute to a deeper understanding of the roles that men play in family planning and ultimately leads to women's reproductive health outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

This paper aims to investigate factors influencing Malaysian men's perceptions of gender equity in family planning. To achieve this, the effects of sociodemographic characteristics (age, education, and marital status), masculine traits, and attitudes towards domestic violence are investigated.

METHODOLOGY

This is a cross-sectional study undertaken by administrating questionnaires to a sample of 168 men in Malaysia. The data are analyzed by applying partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and by using WarpPLS 6.0.

RESULTS

The results confirmed the significant effects of masculine traits and attitudes supporting domestic violence on perceived gender equity in family planning. In other words, the results showed that men's masculine traits and attitudes supporting domestic violence negatively influenced gender equity in family planning. The hypothesized effects of sociodemographic characteristics on perceived gender equity in family planning could not be verified.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests some practical implications for local authorities to implement interventions that take a gender transformative approach to reduce men's masculine traits and improve their attitudes towards domestic violence to enhance gender equity in family planning.

Trouble in Paradigm: "Gender Transformative" Programming in Violence Prevention

The World Health Organization encourages a "gender transformative" paradigm for preventing violence against women and girls. Gender transformative interventions engage men and boys to reflect critically on-and then to challenge and change-gender-inequitable attitudes and behaviors. To interpret the mixed findings of research evaluating such programs, we review the "social norms" model that informs the paradigm. We bolster the paradigmatic conceptualization of social norms through insights about how exposure to trauma shapes gendered patterns of victimization and perpetration, about gendered violence from research on homophobic bullying, and about transforming local regimes of gender accountability.

Co-occurrence of Dating Violence Victimization Subtypes: Assessing the Influence of Family Factors, Dating Attitudes, Risky Behaviors, and the Moderating Effect of Gender Among School-Aged Teens

Using data from a nationally representative sample of school-aged teens (n = 795), this study examined covariates associated with three subtypes of dating violence victimization (physical violence, emotional abuse, and imposed isolation). We asked the research questions: What were the family factors, dating attitudes, and risky behaviors associated with three subtypes of dating violence victimization across two time points? Second, were these relationships moderated by gender? Overall, we found widespread co-occurrence of victimization. Contrary to our predictions, not all earlier experiences with dating violence victimization worsened or persisted overtime. Regarding family factors, we did not find substantial statistically significant effects on victimization, with the exception that greater openness with parents was associated with increased occurrence of emotional abuse at Wave 1. In terms of dating attitudes, we found that when respondents condoned violence against a girlfriend, they were more likely to experience physical violence victimization at both waves. Respondents who believed that it is okay to use violence to control a boyfriend's behavior were more likely to report emotional abuse at Wave 1. Similarly, respondents who believed that it is okay to date more than one person, as well as those who condoned sexual intercourse outside of a romantic relationship, were more susceptible to emotional abuse. Regarding risky behaviors, we found that the respondents' victimization experience did not increase with a greater sexual partner acquisition; rather, it exerted the opposite effect on their experience with physical violence victimization. These risky behaviors, however, were only statistically significant at Wave 1. Finally, the moderating effect of gender is noted in the study. Implications from the study are discussed.

Comprehensive Sexuality Education as a Primary Prevention Strategy for Sexual Violence Perpetration

Sexual violence (SV) represents a serious public health problem with high rates and numerous health consequences. Current primary prevention strategies to reduce SV perpetration have been shown to be largely ineffective-not surprisingly, since as others have pointed out current prevention largely fails to draw on existing knowledge about the characteristics of effective prevention. In this article, we examine the potential of K-12 comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), guided by the National Sexuality Education Standards (NSES), to be an effective strategy. Our discussion uses socioecological and feminist theories as a guide, examines the extent to which NSES-guided CSE could both meet the qualities of effective prevention programs and mitigate the risk factors that are most implicated in perpetration behavior, and considers the potential limitations of this approach. We suggest that sequential, K-12 program has potential to prevent the emergence of risk factors associated with SV perpetration by starting prevention early on in the life course. CSE has not yet been evaluated with SV perpetration behavior as an outcome, and this article synthesizes what is known about drivers of SV perpetration and the potential impacts of CSE to argue for the importance of future research in this area. The primary recommendation is for longitudinal research to examine the impact of CSE on SV perpetration as well as on other sexual and reproductive health outcomes.

Masculine Gender Ideologies, Intimate Partner Violence, and Alcohol Use Increase Risk for Genital Tract Infections Among Men

Masculine gender ideologies are thought to underlie alcohol use, intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration, and sexual risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We extend on studies in the Indian context by examining the roles of masculine gender ideologies, alcohol use, and IPV on three outcomes of HIV risk (condom use, genital tract infection [GTI] symptoms, and GTI diagnosis). We applied logistic regression models to cross-sectional data of men and their wives in rural Maharashtra, India (n = 1,080 couples). We found that men with less masculine gender ideologies demonstrated greater odds of condom use (i.e., lower odds no condom use, odds ratio [OR] = 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.93, 0.98]). IPV perpetration was associated with increased odds of reporting ≥1 GTI symptom (adjusted OR [AOR] = 1.56, 95% CI = [1.07, 2.26]) and decreased GTI diagnosis (AOR = 0.28, 95% CI = [0.08, 0.97]). Moderate alcohol consumption was associated with increased odds of reporting ≥1 GTI symptom (AOR = 1.51, 95% CI = [1.01, 2.25]). Our findings have direct implications for men's and women's health in rural India, including targeted GTI diagnosis and treatment, integrated violence prevention in STI clinics, and targeted intervention on masculine gender ideologies.