Gender Expression Differences in Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence Victimization, Perpetration, and Attitudes among LGBTQ College Students

Abstract

Intimate partnerviolence (IPV) occurs in same-sex relationships at greater rates compared to heterosexual relationships. Despite these elevated same-sex IPV, limited research exists on risk and protective factors (e.g., gender expression) related to victimization, perpetration, and attitudes about violence. Due to scarce research on characteristics of same-sex IPV, the study measured differences between feminine and masculine lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) college students (N = 266) in their self-reported victimization, perpetration, and acceptance of IPV. Results identified that masculine LGBTQ-identifying students reported higher levels of victimization, perpetration, and acceptance of violence, providing implications when assessing for risk and protective factors of same-sex IPV.