Peer-reviewed article
Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health: Sex-Disaggregated Associations Among Adolescents and Young Adults in Uganda
Flora Cohen, Ilana Seff, Fred M. Ssewamala, Timothy Opobo, Lindsay Stark ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examines how intimate partner violence (IPV) relates to mental health problems among adolescents and young adults in Uganda, using a nationally representative sample. Male youth were more than twice as likely as females to perpetrate IPV, and both male and female perpetrators showed higher rates of suicidal ideation compared to non-perpetrators. The research reveals different patterns for males and females, with males also showing increased alcohol abuse when perpetrating violence. The findings emphasize the need for gender-sensitive approaches when addressing intimate partner violence and mental health in young people.
Key points
- Males were more than twice as likely as females to perpetrate IPV (14% vs. 6%)
- Male perpetrators had 2.93 times greater odds of suicidal ideation compared to non-perpetrating males
- Female perpetrators had 2.59 times greater odds of suicidal ideation compared to non-perpetrating females
- Male perpetrators showed increased drinking behaviors (2.21 times greater odds) compared to non-perpetrating males
- For both sexes, those with a history of IPV victimization had higher odds of perpetrating IPV (aOR=12.12 for males; aOR=4.73 for females)
Limitations
This is a cross-sectional study showing associations, not causation, so it cannot determine whether IPV perpetration causes mental health problems or whether mental health issues lead to perpetration. The study relies on self-reported data on sensitive topics, which may be subject to underreporting or social desirability bias.
Abstract
Experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization have well-established associations with poor mental health. There is also burgeoning evidence regarding the association between IPV perpetration and mental health in a small number of countries. However, there is a paucity of data about the gendered differences for these IPV experiences within sub-Saharan African. This study examines the association between IPV victimization, perpetration, and mental health outcomes for male and female adolescents and young adults in Uganda. Data on IPV perpetration were available for a nationally representative sample of 1,373 males and 2,022 females in Uganda. Observations were weighted to be representative of 13- to 24-year-olds in Uganda. Study procedures used multivariate logistic regression models to examine associations between ever-perpetration of IPV and four self-reported mental health variables: severe sadness, feelings of worthlessness, suicide ideation, and alcohol abuse. Models controlled for age, marital status, schooling, and past exposure to violence. Models were sex-disaggregated to examine sex-specific associations. Standard errors were adjusted for sampling stratification and clustering. Data analysis showed that males were more than twice as likely as females to perpetrate IPV (14% vs. 6%, respectively; p < .001), while odds of perpetration for both sexes were higher for those ever experiencing IPV (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 12.12 for males; aOR=4.73 for females). Male perpetrators had 2.93 greater odds of experiencing suicidal ideation (95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.78, 4.82], p < .001) and increased drinking behaviors (2.21, 95% CI: [1.39, 3.50], p < .001) when compared with non-perpetrating males. In addition, female perpetrators had 2.59 times greater odds of suicidal ideation (95% CI: [1.34,4.99], p < .01), as compared with non-perpetrating females. Our findings among youth and adolescents demonstrated associated but different experiences for males and females. Findings indicate the importance of understanding the relationship between IPV victimization and perpetration, and addressing these correlates with a gender-sensitive perspective to inform policy and programming.