Assistant Professor Baruch College New York, New York, United States
Abstract Text: Intimate partner violence (IPV) and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to myriad adverse biopsychosocial health outcomes, especially among young sexual minority men (YSMM). IPV is characterized by physical, psychological, or sexual harm inflicted by an intimate partner, and a growing body of evidence suggests that ACEs have a significant role in negatively shaping the psychosocial development and coping skills in children and adolescents. Yet, few studies have qualitatively explored IPV experiences in YSMM, let alone how ACEs influence perceptions of IPV in this population. This study examines IPV experiences among a diverse sample of (n = 26) YSMM living in New York City. Key themes regarding ACEs emerged from twenty participants’ reports of their IPV experiences: (1) experiences of childhood maltreatment (i.e., physical, psychological, and sexual abuse), (2) household dysfunction (i.e., witnessing domestic violence, behavioral health problems in the family), (3) exposure to community or neighborhood violence, and (4) peer victimization. Consistent with prior research, participants described how their ACEs adversely contributed to their current beliefs about intimate relationships, attitudes toward IPV, and dating behaviors. Most participants identified older male family members as perpetrators of childhood maltreatment and attributed heterosexism as the key factor in household ACEs and experiences of peer victimization. The narratives gathered from this study highlight the critical need to address ACEs in IPV interventions for YSMM, with a focus on unlearning harmful conflict resolution behaviors and promoting healthy relationship dynamics. The compounded challenges faced by YSMM of color further underscore the need for more targeted advocacy and tailored behavioral health treatments to prevent IPV and mitigate its long-term health consequences. This study also discusses implications for future research, practice, and policy aimed at addressing the impact of IPV on YSMM, thereby reducing the associated health challenges within this population.
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