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LGBTQ+ identity-related partner abuse, intimate partner violence victimization, and its impact on symptoms of depression and suicide during COVID-19 pandemic

(PS1-B48) LGBTQ+ Identity-related Partner Abuse, Intimate Partner Violence Victimization, and Its Impact on Symptoms of Depression and Suicide During COVID-19 Pandemic

Friday, November 18, 2022

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM EST

Location: Westside Ballroom, 5th Floor

Author(s)

HN

Haileigh Nall, B.S.

Undergraduate Research Assistant
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Brownsville, Texas

Co-Author(s)

Ines Cano-Gonzalez, M.A.

Phd Student
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
EDINBURG, Texas
RC

Ruby Charak, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Psychology
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, Texas
RR

Roman Ronzón-Tirado, M.A.

Researcher
Universidad Autonoma de Madrid
Madrid, Madrid, Spain

LGBTQ+ population reveals higher rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization when compared with cis-gender heterosexual individuals. Also, LGBTQ+ individuals may be exposed to additional IPV owing to their marginalized gender or sexual identity. However, few studies examine LGBTQ+ identity-related abuse in intimate relationships (i.e., threatened to out a partner sexual/gender identity) and its impact on mental health (Woulfe & Goodman, 2021). The present study aimed to explore the impact of identity-related IPV on mental health outcomes among LGBTQ+ individuals. Method. Participants comprised 388 LGBTQ+ identifying adults in the age range of 18 to 60 years old (M = 30.31, SD = 9.06) residing in Spain. Participant self-identify as White (n = 342, 88.8%) and as Latinx (n = 30, 7.8%). Participants identified their sexual orientation as gay/lesbian (n = 204 52.6%), bisexual (n = 143, 36.9%), other (n = 42, 10.6%). More than half of the participants reported being cisgender (woman: n = 122, 31.4%; man: n = 164, 42.6%), to a lesser extent transgender (woman: n = 9, 2.3%; man: n = 28, 7.3%; and non-binary/other, n = 62, 16.1%). Data were collected between March to May 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regression analysis and t-test analysis were carried out in IBM SPSS version 26. Results. Around 27.1% (n = 105) of the participants indicated having experienced at least one instance of identity abuse IPV victimization during their lifetime, 18.9% (n = 72) experienced cyber IPV victimization, and 27.7% (n = 117) faced in-person victimization by a partner. All three types of victimization were correlated (r = .214 to .357, p < .001). Around 45% (n = 175) report suicide behavior, and 18.8% (n = 73) depression during the past two weeks. Regression analysis showed that the participants with higher levels of identity abuse (β = .131, p < .01) and face-to-face IPV victimization (β = .123, p < .05) had greater symptoms of depression. Only LGBTQ+ identity abuse predicted suicide behaviors (β = .189, p < .01). Those that identified themselves as bisexual, pansexual, and asexual (M =.75, SD =1.28), reported higher means of identity abuse in comparison with those that identify their sexual identity as gay and lesbian (t = -4.553, p < .001, Cohen’s d = .48; M = .27, SD =.75). No differences across sexual orientation and cyber and face-to-face IPV victimization were found. Implications. Findings suggest that identity-related abuse in intimate relationships is associated with face-to-face and cyber IPV, suggesting that identity-related IPV is an extension of the IPV dynamics that should be inquired when working with LGBTQ+ clients. Additionally, findings revealed that those with higher levels of identity-related IPV reported higher symptoms of depression and suicidal behavior. It is crucial to develop a comprehensive understanding of the IPV dynamics among LGBTQ+ individuals to develop appropriate screening measures, especially during a national pandemic where LGBTQ+ individuals are specifically vulnerable, and rates of IPV have been reported to increase. Additionally, clinicians should be aware of the impact the identity-related abusive experiences in mental health to adapt and develop treatment strategies that address these problems.