Unique and Cumulative Effects of Intimate Partner Cybervictimization Types on Alcohol use in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Emerging Adults

Authors

Oscar Trujillo, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Jorge I. Cantu, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Ruby Charak, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-2020

Abstract

The use of modern technology has inadvertently created newer platforms for intimate partner victimization to take place. The present study investigated (i) whether psychological, sexual, and stalking intimate partner cybervictimization (cyber IPV) types were uniquely associated with alcohol use, and (ii) whether there were additive effect of cyber IPV types on alcohol use, after controlling for histories of childhood maltreatment types, face-to-face intimate partner victimization among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) emerging adults. Participants were 277 self-identifying LGB individuals in the age range of 18-29 years (M = 25.39, SD = 2.77; 16.6% lesbian, 25.6% gay, 43% bisexual women). Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing cyber IPV types, namely, psychological, sexual, and stalking, five forms of childhood maltreatment, face-to-face IPV types (i.e., physical, psychological, and sexual) and alcohol use. Findings indicated that 29.2% (n = 81) endorsed all three type of cyber IPV. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that only sexual cyber IPV was uniquely associated with alcohol use. In support of the cumulative risk hypothesis, those with exposure to three types of cyber IPV were more likely to have greater alcohol use compared to those with exposure to any one type of cyber IPV. Findings indicate that cyber IPV can lead to behavioral health challenges, such as an increase in alcohol use among LGB emerging adults. Findings call for interventions focusing on generating awareness regarding the ill-effects of cyber IPV, and for mental health professionals to develop treatment programs to aid in the wellbeing of the victim.

Comments

Copyright 2020, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. Original published version available at https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2019.0773

Recommended Citation

Trujillo, O., Cantu, J. I., & Charak, R. (2020). Unique and Cumulative Effects of Intimate Partner Cybervictimization Types on Alcohol Use in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Emerging Adults. Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking, 23(11), 743–751. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2019.0773

Publication Title

Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking

DOI

10.1089/cyber.2019.0773