Men who perpetrate intimate partner violence: Risk and protective factors among Latinos and Asian-Americans

Objectives: Few studies address how physicians can identify risk and protective factors among men who perpetrate intimate partner violence (IPV). This study (1) assessed the prevalence of physical IPV perpetration in a nationally-representative sample of Latino and Asian American men, and (2) examined the associations of IPV perpetration with health care services, demographics, family relationships, prior family violence, and physical and mental health. Methods: Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed on data from the 2002-2003 National Latino and Asian American Study, in which interviews were conducted with non-institutionalized U.S. adults older than 18 years. Results: Of 1460 married or cohabiting men asked about physical health problems, 198 (13.6%) of men (mean age 41) reported IPV perpetration. Of the sample of IPV perpetrators, 106 (53.8%) had a doctor for routine care, 112 (56.9%) had some form of chronic pain, and 38 (19.3%) had a substance use disorder. In multivariate analyses, perpetration of child physical abuse (OR 1.36, 95% C.I. 1.12-1.64) was a risk factor for IPV perpetration. Having a regular doctor for routine care (O.R. 0.68, 95% C.I. 0.46-1.00) or an overall positive relationship with a child (O.R. 0.88, 95% C.I. 0.77-1.00) or partner (O.R. 0.85, 95% C.I. 0.77-0.95) were protective factors for IPV perpetration. Conclusions: Latino and Asian-American men's IPV perpetration prevalence reveals a large public health problem. To prevent violence, physicians can target IPV screening among men who perpetrate child physical abuse. IPV interventions can build on men's relationships with their children, partner and regular doctor.