Andreia Machado

Effectiveness of a Group Intervention Program for Female Victims of Intimate Partner Violence

Group intervention has been widely used with female victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). However, efficacy studies are scarce due to several research limitations. This study evaluates the effectiveness of an 8-week group intervention program, with a cognitive-behavioral orientation and attended by 23 female victims of IPV. Self-report psychological assessment was conducted at pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. Results revealed that the group intervention had a positive impact on participants, showing a decrease in re-victimization and in beliefs toward legitimizing IPV. A decrease in levels of depression and a significant improvement in general clinical symptoms were also evident. Self-esteem and social support were enhanced throughout group intervention. The changes were confirmed through follow-up after 3 months, suggesting that this group intervention has important effects on female victims. The implications of the findings for practice are also discussed.

HOMENS VÍTIMAS NA INTIMIDADE: ANÁLISE METODOLÓGICA DOS ESTUDOS DE PREVALÊNCIA

A vitimacao contra os homens na intimidade e um tema controverso e negligenciado. No entanto, ja sao varios os estudos que avancam que os homens sao vitimas na intimidade. Este artigo contempla uma revisao dos estudos de prevalencia acerca da vitimacao contra os homens em relacoes heterossexuais. A prevalencia da violencia contra o sexo masculino perpetrada pelo sexo feminino varia de 0,6% a 100%, dependendo do tipo de violencia que abrange, do periodo temporal de referencia, bem como do metodo e da amostra. Os estudos revelam que os homens sao maioritariamente vitimas de violencia moderada, sobretudo psicologica. Porem, as insuficiencias metodologicas e o parco conhecimento em dominios especificos da vitimacao intima contra os homens restringem as conclusoes que podem ser extraidas. Importa que as investigacoes adotem uma abordagem mais inclusiva de ambos os sexos.Intimate partner violence against men is controversial and somewhat neglected. However, there are now several studies that show that men are victims in intimacy. This article includes a methodological analysis of studies on the prevalence of violence against men in heterosexual intimate relationships. The prevalence of violence against men perpetrated by women ranges from 0.6% to 100%, depending on the type of violence, the time period of reference, as well as the method and sample used. Studies show that men are mostly victims of moderate violence, mainly psychological. However, methodological shortcomings and insufficient knowledge in specific areas of victimization against men restrict the conclusions that can be drawn. Is critical that the investigations in this area adopt a more inclusive approach and, specifically, methodologies that address both sexes.

Exploring Help Seeking Experiences of Male Victims of Female Perpetrators of IPV

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a common phenomenon worldwide. However, there is a relative dearth of qualitative research exploring IPV in which men are the victims of their female partners. The present study used a qualitative approach to explore how Portuguese men experience IPV. Ten male victims (aged 35–75) who had sought help from domestic violence agencies or from the police were interviewed. Transcripts were analyzed using QSR NVivo10 and coded following thematic analysis. The results enhance our understanding of both the nature and dynamics of the violence that men experience as well as the negative impact of violence on their lives. This study revealed the difficulties that men face in the process of seeking help, namely differences in treatment of men versus women victims. It also highlights that help seeking had a negative emotional impact for most of these men. Finally, this study has important implications for practitioners and underlines macro-level social recommendations for raising awareness about this phenomenon, including the need for changes in victims’ services and advocacy for gender-inclusive campaigns and responses.

Characteristics of intimate partner violence victimization experienced by a sample of portuguese men

International research has established that men can be victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). In Portugal, this phenomenon has not yet received scientific or social attention, although since the 1990s, IPV has been acknowledged as a notable problem. An online cross-sectional study was conducted with 89 heterosexual men who, after completing the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales, identified themselves as victims of IPV. We examined the prevalence of IPV, its context, its perceived impact, mens reactions after an episode of violence, mens perceived motives for the partners aggressive behavior, and reasons that prevented men from leaving the abusive relationship. The results revealed many similarities to the findings in the literature on female victims and are discussed in terms of their practical implications. Increased knowledge of this underreported phenomenon is vital to the development of suitable policies and support services.

Male victims of partner violence: methodological analysis of prevalence studies

A vitimacao contra os homens na intimidade e um tema controverso e negligenciado. No entanto, ja sao varios os estudos que avancam que os homens sao vitimas na intimidade. Este artigo contempla uma revisao dos estudos de prevalencia acerca da vitimacao contra os homens em relacoes heterossexuais. A prevalencia da violencia contra o sexo masculino perpetrada pelo sexo feminino varia de 0,6% a 100%, dependendo do tipo de violencia que abrange, do periodo temporal de referencia, bem como do metodo e da amostra. Os estudos revelam que os homens sao maioritariamente vitimas de violencia moderada, sobretudo psicologica. Porem, as insuficiencias metodologicas e o parco conhecimento em dominios especificos da vitimacao intima contra os homens restringem as conclusoes que podem ser extraidas. Importa que as investigacoes adotem uma abordagem mais inclusiva de ambos os sexos.Intimate partner violence against men is controversial and somewhat neglected. However, there are now several studies that show that men are victims in intimacy. This article includes a methodological analysis of studies on the prevalence of violence against men in heterosexual intimate relationships. The prevalence of violence against men perpetrated by women ranges from 0.6% to 100%, depending on the type of violence, the time period of reference, as well as the method and sample used. Studies show that men are mostly victims of moderate violence, mainly psychological. However, methodological shortcomings and insufficient knowledge in specific areas of victimization against men restrict the conclusions that can be drawn. Is critical that the investigations in this area adopt a more inclusive approach and, specifically, methodologies that address both sexes.

Hombres victimas en la intimidad: análisis metodológico de la prevalencia

A vitimacao contra os homens na intimidade e um tema controverso e negligenciado. No entanto, ja sao varios os estudos que avancam que os homens sao vitimas na intimidade. Este artigo contempla uma revisao dos estudos de prevalencia acerca da vitimacao contra os homens em relacoes heterossexuais. A prevalencia da violencia contra o sexo masculino perpetrada pelo sexo feminino varia de 0,6% a 100%, dependendo do tipo de violencia que abrange, do periodo temporal de referencia, bem como do metodo e da amostra. Os estudos revelam que os homens sao maioritariamente vitimas de violencia moderada, sobretudo psicologica. Porem, as insuficiencias metodologicas e o parco conhecimento em dominios especificos da vitimacao intima contra os homens restringem as conclusoes que podem ser extraidas. Importa que as investigacoes adotem uma abordagem mais inclusiva de ambos os sexos.Intimate partner violence against men is controversial and somewhat neglected. However, there are now several studies that show that men are victims in intimacy. This article includes a methodological analysis of studies on the prevalence of violence against men in heterosexual intimate relationships. The prevalence of violence against men perpetrated by women ranges from 0.6% to 100%, depending on the type of violence, the time period of reference, as well as the method and sample used. Studies show that men are mostly victims of moderate violence, mainly psychological. However, methodological shortcomings and insufficient knowledge in specific areas of victimization against men restrict the conclusions that can be drawn. Is critical that the investigations in this area adopt a more inclusive approach and, specifically, methodologies that address both sexes.