Intimate partner violence in same-sex couples: the role of disinhibition and professionals’ attitudes

Luckman, Hannah (2025). Intimate partner violence in same-sex couples: the role of disinhibition and professionals’ attitudes. University of Birmingham. Foren.Psy.D.

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Abstract

The current thesis explores Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in same-sex couples. Previous research has demonstrated high IPV prevalence rates, particularly amongst same-sex couples. Despite this, individuals experiencing same-sex IPV are reluctant to seek support and there is an absence of tailored psychometric measures, risk assessment and intervention for same-sex IPV. This may be impacted by a heteronormative lens across IPV research, policy and practice, and a limited understanding of the factors associated with same-sex IPV. Chapter One introduces IPV and its harmful consequences. It specifically introduces IPV in same-sex couples and its implications on attitudes, help-seeking and available same-sex IPV resources. The overall thesis aims, and the aims of each chapter, are also provided. Chapter Two presents a systematic literature review of the attitudes that professionals, within the Criminal Justice System (CJS), hold towards incidents of IPV in same-sex couples. Negative and biased attitudes that promote inequality were found amongst some CJS professionals, which support barriers to help-seeking. Practical implications that aim to continue improving CJS professionals’ attitudes are discussed. Chapter Three considered that CJS professionals’ attitudes may also impact on the prevalence of individuals in the CJS who have engaged in same-sex IPV, and on the subsequent need for appropriate, tailored same-sex IPV risk assessment and intervention. Chapter Three presents a research study that investigates the impact of disinhibition (impulsivity and risk-taking) on IPV between individuals in same-sex and opposite-sex couples. Risk-taking predicted psychological aggression, particularly amongst individuals in opposite-sex couples. However, same-sex couples demonstrated higher levels of impulsivity and risk-taking compared to opposite-sex couples. The findings contribute to an understanding of factors associated with same-sex IPV and inform the design of same-sex IPV risk assessment and intervention. Chapter Four presents a critique of the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2) to determine its utility when researching same-sex IPV. The CTS2 was found to be a reliable and valid IPV measure amongst same-sex couples. However, further research is needed that investigates the psychometric properties of the CTS2 amongst same-sex couples. Chapter Five presents an overview of the current thesis and synthesises the main thesis findings, strengths and limitations. Key implications of the thesis findings for practice and future research are also provided. These aim to increase awareness of same-sex IPV, reduce high same-sex IPV prevalence rates, target specific same-sex IPV risk factors, improve help-seeking, mitigate recidivism and protect against the health and economic consequences associated with IPV.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Foren.Psy.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Foren.Psy.D.

Supervisor(s):