Rural Young Adults’ Lay Theories of Intimate Partner Violence: A Qualitative Examination

• In Event: Posters I

Abstract

The current study qualitatively examined rural young adults lay theories about the causes of intimate partner violence (IPV) and young adults’ ideas on how to most effectively prevent IPV. Participants were 74 individuals (majority Caucasian, heterosexual, low-income) between the ages of 18 and 24 who resided in one of sixteen rural communities across the eastern U.S. for at least 4 years. Thematic analysis of transcribed interview data revealed four overarching themes of participants’ perceptions of the causes of IPV: (1) individual-level pathology, stress, and lack of education; (2) intergenerational transmission of violence and early life factors; (3) relationship stressors and challenges; and (4) community factors. Furthermore, participants felt that IPV could most effectively be prevention through: (1) education and awareness; (2) victim-focused efforts (e.g., teaching self-esteem); (3) and job creation. Overall, participant identified a number of established risk factors for IPV perpetration across the social ecological model, although a number were never or rarely mentioned (e.g., peer group norms, positive bystander action, collective efficacy). Furthermore, there was a disconnect between participants’ ideas of effective prevention and what research has established as effective prevention. The implications of these findings for future research and prevention initiatives are discussed.

Authors

• Katie M. Edwards, University of New Hampshire

• Victoria Lynn Banyard, University of New Hampshire

• Elizabeth Moschella, University of New Hampshire

• Katherine Seavey, University of New Hampshire