Abstract: The Associations between Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health Among Sexual Minority Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Society for Social Work and Research 28th Annual Conference - Recentering & Democratizing Knowledge: The Next 30 Years of Social Work Science)
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The Associations between Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health Among Sexual Minority Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Schedule:
Sunday, January 14, 2024
Independence BR G, ML 4 (Marriott Marquis Washington DC)
* noted as presenting author
Chenglin Hong, MSW, MPH, PhD Candidate, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Yilin Wang, BA, MSW student, Washington University in Saint Louis, MO
Yuqing Wang, MPH, MPH student, Emory University, GA
Sreelakshmi Pushpanadh, MA, PhD student, The Pennsylvania State University, PA
Rob Stephenson, PhD, Professor, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, MI
Brian Keum, PhD, Assistant professor, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Jeremy Goldbach, PhD, Masters & Johnson Distinguished Professor of Sexual Health and Education, Washington University in Saint Louis, MO
Ian W. Holloway, PhD, Professor, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Background and purpose

A growing body of research highlights the high prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) among sexual minority men (SMM) with nearly one in three SMM experiencing IPV in their lifetime. Evidence also suggests that experiencing IPV is associated with adverse health outcomes including physical injuries, HIV/STIs, substance use, mental health distress, and even life-threatening consequences. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize evidence on the association between exposure to IPV and negative mental health outcomes (depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, etc.) among SMM and provide pooled estimates to inform future IPV and mental health interventions and services.

Methods

Following the PRISMA guideline, we conducted a systematic literature search of electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, Web of Science, and CINAHL) for studies that examined the association between IPV and mental health outcomes among SMM. Studies were included if they: (1) assessed IPV, (2) reported at least one mental health outcome, (3) were conducted among SMM, and (4) were published in English. Three reviewers independently screened the titles and abstracts and extracted the data. Discrepancies were resolved by group consensus. Random effects meta-analysis was conducted to calculate pooled adjusted odds ratios (ORs) as summary measures of effect size with 95% confidence interval (CIs). We also assessed heterogeneity using I2 statistics. All analyses were conducted using meta package in R version 4.2.1.

Results

Our search identified 21 studies that met eligibility criteria; over half were conducted in the United States (n=11); the remainder were conducted in the United Kingdom, Guatemala, Kenya, Nigeria, China, Mexico, Gambia, Burkina Faso, and Togo. All studies were cross-sectional in design. There was inconsistency in IPV measures and IPV recall periods, and studies reported a wide range of mental health outcomes using PHQ-9/GAD-7, Perceived Stress Scale, and the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised scale. Overall, included studies consistently suggested that experiencing IPV was associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, PSTD, and suicidal ideation. Meta-analysis among 12 studies of 18,454 SMM revealed a pooled OR of 1.69 (95%CI: 1.40-2.05) for depressive symptoms. The I2 statistics suggested moderate heterogeneity (I2=78.6%, p<0.01). Subgroup analysis on the effect of specific types of IPV on mental health and the associations between IPV and other mental health outcomes were not conducted due to the limited data available.

Conclusion

This systematic review and meta-analysis is the first to provide collective evidence on the association between IPV and mental health outcomes among SMM. The review identified critical gaps in understanding IPV and mental well-being among SMM in low- and middle-income countries. Additional research is needed to explore the effects of IPV in these settings using standardized tools to measure IPV, and the effects of different types of IPV on mental well-being among SMM. Future studies should also consider longitudinal and qualitative designs. Importantly, research that investigates mechanisms underlying the associations between IPV and mental health issues among SMM would lend itself to improved IPV screening in healthcare settings, and the identification of key targets for IPV prevention and treatment interventions with this population.

Back to: Intimate Partner Violence, Health, and Mental Health
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