Why and How Do Men Experience Intimate Partner Violence Victimization? An Integrated Multilevel Theoretical Framework

Abstract

Research on female-to-male intimate partner violence (IPV) is extremely limited. This study examines IPV victimization among heterosexual men across different national contexts, utilizing an integrated multilevel theoretical framework that combines social structure and social learning theory, feminist perspectives, and the victim–offender overlap perspective. Our research questions were as follows: Why and how do men experience IPV victimization? What are the different typologies of men’s IPV victimization? Using data from the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index and the International Dating Violence Study, we analyzed a sample of 3,586 heterosexual male college students across 29 countries. The multilevel mediation analyses revealed that men’s perpetration of IPV and their beliefs in male dominance fully mediated the relationship between gender equality and men’s IPV victimization. The findings may suggest that gender equality does not have a direct effect on men’s IPV victimization and indicate that, in gender-equal societies, women’s higher social status does not lead to increased violence or control. Further, the results show that men in less gender-equal countries are more likely to perpetrate IPV and to hold beliefs of male dominance, which in turn increases their likelihood of experiencing IPV. Notably, men’s IPV victimization is not indicative of intimate terrorism or mutual violent control, where women are highly violent and controlling. Instead, when men in less gender-equal countries experience IPV, it is more likely the acts of violent resistance from women they abuse. Conversely, in more gender-equal countries, men’s IPV experiences tend to be situational couple violence from female partners. These findings imply that promoting gender equality could benefit both men and women by reducing IPV victimization across genders. The study offers valuable theoretical insights and practical implications, emphasizing the importance of addressing gender norms and power dynamics in efforts to prevent men’s IPV victimization.