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Meta-Analysis
. 2025 Jul 29;34(3):137-149.
doi: 10.5093/pi2025a11. eCollection 2025 Sep.

Associations between Demographic Factors and Sexual Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration and Victimization: A Meta-analysis

Paul A Zehr  1 , Chelsea M Spencer  1 , Mariah Moore  1 , Adi Siegmann  1
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Associations between Demographic Factors and Sexual Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration and Victimization: A Meta-analysis

Paul A Zehr et al. Psychosoc Interv. .

Abstract

Objective: Sexual intimate partner violence (SIPV) is a significant public health concern of global importance. This meta-analysis sought to examine the relationship between demographic factors and SIPV perpetration and victimization. Method: The database searches identified a total of 143 articles to be included in the meta-analysis. Comprehensive meta-analysis 3.0 was used to calculate aggregate effect sizes (Pearson's r) for the relationship between demographic variables and SIPV exposure. Variables were examined for SIPV perpetration and victimization and were separated between male and female samples. Results: There was a significant relationship between SIPV victimization and being bisexual (r = .25, p < .001), LGBTQ (r = .21, p < .001), female (r = .19, p < .001), and disabled (r = .19, p < .001). Lower income (r = .07, p = .001), lower education (r = .06, p < .001), and younger age (r = .04, p < .001) also correlated with SIPV victimization. Being married (r = -.08, p = .027) was identified as a protective marker against SIPV victimization. Identifying as female (r = -.17, p = .003) had a negative association with SIPV perpetration. Conclusions: The current study found that several demographic factors are significantly related to increased risk of SIPV perpetration and/or victimization, while few have a protective effect.

Keywords: Demographics; Meta-analysis; Risk markers; Sexual IPV.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The authors of this article declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Flowchart of Studies Included.
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