A Comparative Analysis of Gender Discrepancy Stress, Attitudes toward Intimate Partner Violence, and Perpetration among Young Adults in the USA and Uganda

Matthew J Lyons; Monica H Swahn; Rachel Culbreth; Dennis Reidy; Tina Musuya; Paul Bukuluki

doi:10.3390/ijerph192013373

A Comparative Analysis of Gender Discrepancy Stress, Attitudes toward Intimate Partner Violence, and Perpetration among Young Adults in the USA and Uganda

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Oct 17;19(20):13373. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192013373.

Authors

Matthew J Lyons¹, Monica H Swahn¹, Rachel Culbreth², Dennis Reidy³, Tina Musuya⁴, Paul Bukuluki⁵

Affiliations

¹ Wellstar College of Health and Human Services, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA 30144, USA.
² American College of Medical Toxicology, Phoenix, AZ 85028, USA.
³ School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA.
⁴ Social Development Direct, Kampala 759125, Uganda.
⁵ Department of Social Work and Social Administration, Makerere University, Kampala 759125, Uganda.

Abstract

Background: There is a dearth of data on the modifiable factors that contribute to violence in low- and middle-income countries, including attitudes regarding intimate partner violence (IPV) and perceptions of gender identity. We examined these factors using a cross-cultural comparison between young adults in Uganda and the United States.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to young adults aged 18 to 25 in Uganda (n = 300) and the U.S. (n = 300). Survey questions assessed demographics, attitudes toward IPV, IPV victimization and perpetration, gender discrepancy, discrepancy stress, and alcohol use. We conducted chi-square tests, as well as bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses, separately for participants in each country.

Results: The prevalence of IPV perpetration differed significantly by country for men (58.06% in the U.S. vs. 42.73% in Uganda; p = 0.03) and women (40.00% in the U.S. vs. 14.00% in Uganda; p < 0.01). IPV victimization differed by country for men (67.74% in the U.S. vs. 51.82% in Uganda; p = 0.02) but not for women. Gender discrepancy and discrepancy stress also varied by country and by sex and were higher in the U.S. for both men and women. IPV victimization was a common risk factor for adults in both Uganda (Adj. OR = 23.47; 95% CI: 7.79, 70.22) and the U.S. (Adj. OR = 27.40; 95% CI: 9.97, 75.32). In Uganda, male sex was significantly associated with IPV perpetration in multivariable analyses (Adj. OR = 6.23; 95% CI: 2.45, 15.86), and so were IPV attitudes (Adj. OR = 2.22; 1.20, 4.10). In the U.S., a likely alcohol use disorder (AUD) was also significantly associated with IPV perpetration (Adj. OR = 7.11; 95% CI: 2.25, 22.54).

Conclusions: Permissive IPV attitudes were associated with IPV perpetration among Ugandan participants, while likely AUD was associated with perpetration in U.S.

Participants: Overall, IPV perpetration was significantly higher for U.S. males compared with Ugandan males. These findings indicate that cultural adaptations to global IPV interventions may be necessary to respond to differing needs in different countries.

Keywords: Uganda; alcohol; gender discrepancy stress; intimate partner violence; violence.

MeSH terms

Crime Victims*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Gender Identity
Humans
Intimate Partner Violence*
Male
Risk Factors
Uganda / epidemiology
United States / epidemiology
Young Adult

Grants and funding

R21AA22065/AA/NIAAA NIH HHS/United States