The Consistency of Self-reported Intimate Partner Violence Within Romantic Couples

• In Event: Theoretical Developments in Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

A wealth of research has been conducted into factors that increase risk for the (re-)occurrence of intimate partner violence (IPV) within romantic relationships. Yet, studies including not one, but both partners’ reports of IPV remain relatively scarce. The current knowledge on established risk factors for IPV derived from self-reported data thus heavily relies on data representing a one-sided perspective. It does not take into account the potential for disagreement among partners while estimating factors that may increase IPV risk. However, instances of misreporting of IPV as well as considerable partner disagreement within romantic couples have been documented in the literature. The current study uses the Romantic Pairs data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). These data focus on 1507 couples, including self-reports of IPV by both partners. Findings on the degree of inconsistent reporting of IPV within couples as well as factors associated with inconsistent reporting will be presented. Moreover, the extent to which inconsistent reporting affects our knowledge on established risk factors for IPV will be examined. This will provide important information on whether future research should move toward including both partners’ reports of IPV to get reliable risk factor estimates.

Author

• Karlijn F. Kuijpers, University of Missouri - St. Louis