Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health concern that disproportionately affects sexual and gender minority populations. My research examines the prevalence, risk factors, and consequences of IPV among LGBTQ+ individuals, with particular emphasis on young sexual minority men and transgender and gender-diverse populations. A central goal of this work is to inform the development of culturally responsive interventions to prevent IPV and reduce its negative health consequences.
IPV Among Young Sexual Minority Men
My early research utilized data from Project 18 (P18), a longitudinal cohort study of young gay and bisexual men conducted by the Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies. Findings from this research demonstrated that IPV victimization and perpetration are common experiences among young gay and bisexual men and are associated with childhood maltreatment, sexual minority-related stigma, depression, substance use, and sexual behaviors associated with HIV transmission. These findings highlighted the complex interplay of interpersonal, psychological, and social factors contributing to IPV and its consequences.
This research has been published in journals including Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, Journal of Adolescent Health, and Drug and Alcohol Dependence, and presented at national scientific conferences, including those of the American Psychological Association (APA) and American Public Health Association (APHA).
IPV Prevention: The PRISMM Intervention
Building on this foundational research, I developed PRISMM, a culturally tailored IPV prevention intervention for young sexual minority men. PRISMM is designed to increase knowledge and awareness of IPV, strengthen relationship skills, and address factors that contribute to IPV victimization and perpetration.
An initial pilot study demonstrated high levels of acceptability and feasibility, as well as promising preliminary outcomes. My ongoing work seeks to further evaluate and refine PRISMM, with the long-term goal of establishing an effective, accessible, and scalable IPV prevention intervention for young sexual minority men.
Gun-Involved Intimate Partner Violence
Another important area of my research examines gun-involved IPV among LGBTQ+ populations, an understudied intersection of interpersonal violence, firearm-related harm, and health disparities. This work uses qualitative and quantitative methods to investigate experiences of firearm-related threats, intimidation, and violence within intimate relationships, as well as their associations with mental health and other health outcomes.
Findings from this research contribute to a growing understanding of how firearms may be used in the context of IPV among LGBTQ+ individuals and highlight the importance of considering sexual and gender minority populations in firearm violence prevention research and policy.
IPV Among Transgender and Gender-Diverse Populations
My research also examines IPV among transgender and gender-diverse individuals, including forms of abuse that may be uniquely shaped by gender identity, discrimination, and structural inequalities. This work investigates both general and identity-specific experiences of IPV and their associations with mental health and well-being.
Together, these lines of research seek to advance our understanding of IPV among LGBTQ+ populations and inform evidence-based approaches to prevention, intervention, and support.