Does perpetrator gender influence attitudes towards intimate partner violence (IPV)? Examining the relationship between male-perpetrated and female-perpetrated IPV attitudes among a sample of UK young adults

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dc.abstract.enPurpose Understanding of the role that attitudes and beliefs may play on the judgments people make about intimate partner violence (IPV) is becoming increasingly important, notably in the context of the criminal justice process and in recognising IPV as a public health issue. This study aims to investigate the importance of several established factors predictive of attitudes towards male-perpetrated IPV, which have never previously been explored in relation to female-perpetrated IPV. Design/methodology/approach In total, 295 young adults (18–28) from across the UK completed an online survey (M Age = 23.82) comprised of four established psychometric inventories; the Rosenberg Self-esteem scale, Satisfaction with Life scale, Attitudes Towards Female Dating Violence scale and newly developed Modern Adolescent Dating Violence Attitudes (MADVA) scale, alongside a suite of associated demographic factors. Findings Results derived from a multiple linear regression indicates that three types of attitudes towards male-perpetrated violence against women (physical, sexual, and psychological abuse offline), were significant predictors of attitudes towards female-perpetrated IPV, along with gender and ethnicity. Self-esteem, satisfaction with life, age and education among those surveyed were not associated with attitudes towards female-perpetrated IPV. Practical implications The results have important implications in developing educational programmes for those who have committed IPV offences, as well as teaching young people about the nature of partner abuse. Originality/value The results suggest that those who endorse attitudes supportive of male-perpetrated IPV in offline environments, also endorse violence-supportive beliefs towards female-perpetrated IPV. In effect, violence-supportive attitudes are held irrespective of the sex of the perpetrator. However, this may differ in terms of how individuals view online types of abuse, where these attitudes appear to be processed differentially to offline attitudes.
dc.affiliationWydział Psychologii we Wrocławiu
dc.contributor.authorConroy, Ethan
dc.contributor.authorWillmott, Dominic
dc.contributor.authorMurphy, Anthony
dc.contributor.authorWidanaralalage, B. Kennath
dc.date.accessioned2026-10-02T08:01:04Z
dc.date.available2026-10-02T08:01:04Z
dc.date.created2024-06-08
dc.date.issued2024-12-02
dc.description.abstract<jats:sec> <jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Purpose</jats:title> <jats:p>Understanding of the role that attitudes and beliefs may play on the judgments people make about intimate partner violence (IPV) is becoming increasingly important, notably in the context of the criminal justice process and in recognising IPV as a public health issue. This study aims to investigate the importance of several established factors predictive of attitudes towards male-perpetrated IPV, which have never previously been explored in relation to female-perpetrated IPV.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Design/methodology/approach</jats:title> <jats:p>In total, 295 young adults (18–28) from across the UK completed an online survey (M Age = 23.82) comprised of four established psychometric inventories; the Rosenberg Self-esteem scale, Satisfaction with Life scale, Attitudes Towards Female Dating Violence scale and newly developed Modern Adolescent Dating Violence Attitudes (MADVA) scale, alongside a suite of associated demographic factors.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Findings</jats:title> <jats:p>Results derived from a multiple linear regression indicates that three types of attitudes towards male-perpetrated violence against women (physical, sexual, and psychological abuse offline), were significant predictors of attitudes towards female-perpetrated IPV, along with gender and ethnicity. Self-esteem, satisfaction with life, age and education among those surveyed were not associated with attitudes towards female-perpetrated IPV.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Practical implications</jats:title> <jats:p>The results have important implications in developing educational programmes for those who have committed IPV offences, as well as teaching young people about the nature of partner abuse.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Originality/value</jats:title> <jats:p>The results suggest that those who endorse attitudes supportive of male-perpetrated IPV in offline environments, also endorse violence-supportive beliefs towards female-perpetrated IPV. In effect, violence-supportive attitudes are held irrespective of the sex of the perpetrator. However, this may differ in terms of how individuals view online types of abuse, where these attitudes appear to be processed differentially to offline attitudes.</jats:p> </jats:sec>
dc.description.issue5
dc.description.physical617–627
dc.description.sdgQualityEducation
dc.description.sdgGenderEquality
dc.description.sdgReducedInequalities
dc.description.sdgPeaceJusticeAndStrongInstitutions
dc.description.versionfinal_published
dc.description.volume28
dc.identifier.doi10.1108/MHSI-05-2023-0057
dc.identifier.eissn2042-8316
dc.identifier.issn2042-8308
dc.identifier.urihttps://share.swps.edu.pl/handle/swps/2577
dc.identifier.weblinkhttps://www.emerald.com/mhsi/article-abstract/28/5/617/1220319/Does-perpetrator-gender-influence-attitudes?redirectedFrom=fulltext
dc.languageen
dc.pbn.affiliationpsychologia
dc.rightsClosedAccess
dc.rights.questionNo_rights
dc.subject.enSexual abuse
dc.subject.enIntimate Partner Violence (IPV)
dc.subject.enFemale offenders
dc.subject.enPhysical abuse
dc.subject.enPsychological abuse
dc.subject.enViolence supportive attitudes
dc.swps.sciencecloudsend
dc.titleDoes perpetrator gender influence attitudes towards intimate partner violence (IPV)? Examining the relationship between male-perpetrated and female-perpetrated IPV attitudes among a sample of UK young adults
dc.title.journalMental Health and Social Inclusion
dc.typeJournalArticle
dspace.entity.typeArticle