Prevalence of bidirectional intimate partner violence in a sample of college students in Portugal

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to (a) characterize the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and perpetration; (b) delineate the prevalence and frequency of various types of violence suffered and perpetrated; (c) explore potential gender and sexual orientation differences in the prevalence and frequency of IPV perpetration and victimization; (d) analyze the most common pattern of IPV; and (e) investigate potential gender and sexual orientation differences in the different IPV patterns. Methods The study sample comprised 262 participants. The study was conducted online, and participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale. Results Bidirectional violence (BV) was the most common pattern of violence in the past year among college students. Psychological violence was the most prevalent type of violence experienced and perpetrated in the past year and across the lifetime in all subsamples analyzed. No gender or sexual orientation differences were found in overall IPV victimization and perpetration prevalence and frequency in the past year and across lifetime. However, men reported a higher prevalence of past year and lifetime sexual coercion perpetration than women, and heterosexual individuals exhibited higher prevalence rates of lifetime physical assaults. Conclusions The study’s findings further reinforce that BV is prevalent in intimate relationships, particularly among college students. Consequently, there is a need to create effective prevention and intervention programs to help diminish the high prevalence of this phenomenon.