Young Men Who Have Sex With Men's Experiences With Intimate Partner Violence

Research estimating the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) among men who have sex with men (MSM) and other sexual minority populations is limited. However, existing research indicates rates similar to heterosexual women. This mixed-methods study was designed to inform intervention development and provides a description of the types of IPV experienced by young MSM (YMSM) within their dating and intimate relationships. Data collected include 101 surveys with YMSM aged 18 to 25 and 26 semi-structured qualitative interviews. YMSM experienced high levels of psychological aggression, physical assault, and sexual coercion both as victims and perpetrators. The study also found that there were high rates of mutual perpetration, young men reporting being both victim and perpetrator of partner violence. Qualitative data provide context and descriptions of these incidents to provide more information about the circumstances and perceptions of these incidents. The findings indicate that interventions should be multifaceted and include schools, communities, and families to address anger management, conflict resolution, and communication skills within young men's relationships.