Symposia
LGBQT+
Dominic J. Parrott, Ph.D.
Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia
Konrad Bresin, PhD
Assistant Professor
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Amy Hequembourg, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
University of Buffalo
Buffalo, NY
Brynne Velia, M.A.
Graduate Student
Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia
Kevin Swartout, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA
Cynthia Stappenbeck, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA
Katherine Masyn, Ph.D.
Professor
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA
Jessica Grom, M.A.
Graduate Student
Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia
Background. Sexual and gender minorities (SGM) experience higher rates of sexual violence compared to cisgender or heterosexual peers. However, sexual intimate partner violence (S-IPV), a term that refers to sexual violence that occurs within intimate relationships, is rarely an explicit focus of extant research within SGM populations. Extant reviews identify SGM stress and alcohol use as risk factors for IPV perpetration among SGM populations; however, studies rarely extricate S-IPV perpetration to examine its association with these and other theoretically-based risk factors. Thus, we know very little about the etiology of S-IPV perpetration within the SGM community. This is a key weakness in the rigor of this literature, because it is necessary to establish etiological models of S-IPV perpetration to inform subsequent development of culturally informed interventions. To address this gap, the present study used Actor-Partner Interdependence Models (APIM) to examine the effects of specific forms of external SGM stress (Harassment, Victimization), internal SGM stress, and problematic drinking on S-IPV perpetration. Method. 274 individuals in 137 same-sex couples (57% assigned female sex at birth) were recruited in Atlanta, GA and responded to measures of external and internal minority stress, problematic drinking, and S-IPV perpetration during the past year. Results. Data were analyzed using a multilevel APIM framework that modeled risk factors separately (Analysis Set 1) and simultaneously to assess the robustness of the effects (Analysis Set 2). In Analysis Set 1, Actor external minority stress related to stigma-based Victimization and Harassment and Actor internal minority stress were positively associated with Actor S-IPV perpetration (OR range = 1.41 to 2.99). In addition, partner problematic drinking was positively associated with Actor S-IPV perpetration (OR = 1.18). In Analysis Set 2, the observed effects of Actor external minority stress (Victimization), Actor internal minority stress, and partner problematic drinking remained significant and thus were robust to the addition of other risk factors. Conclusions. Results underscore the interpersonal nature of S-IPV perpetration and show that Actor S-IPV perpetration is associated with Actor SGM stress and Partner, but not Actor, problematic alcohol use. These data provide preliminary support for the utility of S-IPV interventions that target SGM stress and the interpersonal dynamics of a partner’s alcohol use.