The Role of Socialization and Attitudinal Factors in Understanding Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Perpetration Among Young Jamaican Men

Background/Purpose: Although intimate partner violence (IPV) has been well reported universally, it was not until the late 1980s that studies on the factors associated with the physical, emotional, and verbal abuse of women emerged in the Caribbean. Since its emergence in the Caribbean, IPV is now considered key to the public health and human rights agenda of the region. To date, a small number of studies have explored IPV within the Jamaican context, with the focus being primarily on reports of women, resulting in limited research on IPV from the perspective of the Caribbean male perpetrator. Therefore, the current study aims to increase our understanding of the demographic, socialization, and attitudinal factors associated with IPV perpetration among young Jamaican men in adulthood, from the male’s perspective – representing a key addition to the literature.

This study is of significance because (a) limited research is done on IPV perpetration in Jamaica, especially from the perpetrators perspective; (b) IPV is prevalent in Jamaica and is often associated with the cultural and social norms and acceptance of violence; and (c) age 15-24 represents the stage where males begin to explore their manhood and masculine ideology.

Methods: We conducted bivariate and logistic regression analyses using secondary data from the 2008 Reproductive Health Survey (RHS) administered by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) for the National Family Planning Board Secondary. The sample consisted of 1,023 Jamaican men aged 15 to 24 years who had at least one partner.

Questions related to past year physical intimate partner violence perpetration was modified from the revised conflict tactic scale. Seven demographic factors - age, education, union status, health status, place of residence, number of children, and employment status - were included in stage 1 of the regression analysis. Similarly, socialization factors (i.e., witnessing violence between parents and/or family members, and being hit after age 15) and attitudinal factors (i.e., agreement with gender norms statements and statements reflecting controlling behaviors) were entered in stage 2 of the analysis.

Results: Findings indicated that being in a co-residential union, residing in an urban area, and having fair or poor health were significant demographic characteristics associated with IPV perpetration. Similarly, witnessing violence between parents, being hit after age 15, and having controlling behaviors were significant socialization and attitudinal correlates of perpetrating recent IPV.

Conclusion and Implementation: Study findings indicate the role of early childhood adversities and social learning on later IPV perpetration among young Jamaican men. Results highlights the need for programs serving perpetrators of IPV to include greater emphasis on the role played by power relations within unions, the witnessing of abuse in childhood, aggression and the culture of violent interactions, and the system of patriarchal beliefs; increased public awareness of the prevalence and factors associated with IPV perpetration; and the need for programmatic focus to be placed on traumatic exposure of children to IPV in childhood, and possible victimization. Additionally, findings also highlight the need to develop policies aimed at creating a zero-tolerance climate of intimate partner violence.