From Subtle Control to Severe Threats: Emotional Intimate Partner Violence (EIPV) Recognition and Myth Acceptance Among Young Adults

Abstract

Prior research has been limited in examining emotional intimate partner violence (EIPV) related attitudes and cognitions. To address these research gaps, the current study aimed to build a better understanding of EIPV recognition and myth acceptance. First, we developed and investigated reliability and factor structure, including factorial invariance for sex groups, of the Emotional Intimate Partner Violence Recognition (EIPV-R) Scale and the Emotional Intimate Partner Violence Myth Acceptance (EIPV-MA) Scale. Second, we explored associations between EIPV-R and EIPV-MA scores and external criteria. Study participants were a representative sample of young adults (aged 18–29 years) in Poland (N = 2,705; 53.4% female). EIPV-R and EIPV-MA demonstrated strong psychometric properties and factorial invariance across sex. Both instruments were also found to be multidimensional, with five factors best capturing the EIPV-R scores (emotional withholding, controlling behavior, dominance and intimidation, severe threatening behavior, denigration) and three factors best capturing the EIPV-MA scores (romanticization of abuse, victim blaming, constrained perception of emotional abuse). Further analyses revealed than men are more likely to endorse rape myths and have more difficulties recognizing EIPV than women. Individuals who experienced intimate partner violence (IPV positive) scored significantly lower than IPV-negative participants on total EIPV-R as well as on three subscales (controlling behavior, dominance and intimidation, and denigration). However, IPV-positive individuals scored higher on the severe threatening behavior subscale, which may be because the ability to identify overtly dangerous acts is vital for safety and survival. The current research findings can be used to build effective interventions aimed at reducing the prevalence of EIPV.