Methodological Challenges in Research on Coercive Control in Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals’ Intimate Relationships

• In Event: Sexuality, Victimization, and Offending

Abstract

Background/Rationale: Limited research examines intimate partner violence (IPV) among Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual (2SLGBTQQIA+) individuals. As a result, there is little knowledge about coercive control in 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals’ intimate relationships. Research within this area is expanding; however, as with many areas of newly established research inquiry, the emerging literature is hampered by some methodological challenges.
Methods: As part of conducting a scoping literature review focused on coercive control in 2SLGBTQQIA+ relationships, we identified several methodological decisions limiting this area of study.
Results: Such decisions that are prevalent across scholarship included small sample sizes, the collapsing of categories or populations, a lack of intersectional frameworks, combining sexuality and gender categories, and excluding subpopulations from analyses. These decisions impede capturing the nuances of this community and their unique lived experiences that are tied to coercive control in the context of IPV.
Conclusions: While scholars aim for inclusivity in theory, reality highlights that many individuals and their unique experiences are often excluded, ultimately limiting how intersectionality can inform the study results. This presentation provides a summary of identified concerns and a discussion of potential implications for future queer criminological research.

Authors

• Emma Jennings-Fitz-Gerald, University of Toronto

• Dana L. Radatz, Niagara University

• N. Zoe Hilton, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, University of Toronto

• Chris M. Smith, University of Toronto