Warning signs of future intimate partner violence

Warning signs of intimate partner violence (IPV) are a promising avenue for IPV prevention. Research on warning signs is emergent, and the current authors present recommendations to inspire and improve future research on the subject, with the ultimate goal of identifying signs that can be used in IPV prevention efforts. We propose that researchers (a) agree upon a common definition of warning signs, (b) identify signs that are strong, reliable predictors of IPV, (c) explore the complex interconnections between signs, and (d) prioritize at-risk populations for both research and interventions. Developing a deeper understanding of warning signs will give researchers greater insights into the early stages of IPV and provide intervention developers with a potentially powerful means of preventing violence.