Coercive Control in Intimate Relationships: Differences Across Age and Sex

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Criminology
• Sociology

Background:

• Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health issue with a known gendered component.
• Existing research on IPV predominantly focuses on younger populations, neglecting the experiences of older adults.
• Coercive control within IPV, specifically intimidation and surveillance, requires further investigation across different age groups and sexes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine how age moderates the relationship between sex and experiences of intimidation and surveillance.
• To analyze variations in coercive control tactics across different age demographics.
• To control for health impairment and demographic factors in understanding IPV dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS).
• Employed statistical analyses to investigate the moderating effects of age on sex-based differences in coercive control.
• Controlled for health impairment and key demographic variables.

Main Results:

• Older adults, irrespective of gender, reported lower instances of surveillance and intimidation.
• Men were significantly more likely than women to report experiencing surveillance.
• Younger women reported higher rates of intimidation compared to younger men.

Conclusions:

• Age significantly influences the prevalence and manifestation of coercive control in intimate partner violence.
• Specific forms of coercive control, like surveillance and intimidation, show distinct patterns across age and sex.
• Future research should continue to explore age-related nuances in IPV to inform targeted interventions.