AJPH: Differences in Frequency of Violence and Reported Injury between Relationships with Reciprocal and Nonreciprocal Intimate Partner Violence

In the May edition of the American Journal of Public Health, a study was published examining the prevalence of reciprocal (i.e. penetrated by both partners) and nonreciprocal intimate partner violence and whether or not reciprocity affects violence frequency and injury.

The study reported that almost 24% of all relationships had some violence, and half (49.7%) of those relationships were reciprocally violent. In nonreciprocal relationships, women (70%) were the perpetrators. With reciprocity, women were associated with more frequent violence but the men were not. In reciprocal violence, escalation tends to occur when one partner retaliates against the other, and injury becomes more likely with each blow. Relationships where there is reciprocal violence leads to a greater frequency of violence as well as greater injury.

The authors urge more research, prevention, and treatment approaches to examine the specific context of partner violence in order to improve prevention efforts. This including understanding the distal and immediate causes and motives that lead to partner violence.

To read the full study, click here (Must be a subscriber to AJPH)