“If you feel your options are limited, you'll endure even more”: characterizing experiences and normalization of intimate partner violence among transgender women Open Access

Abstract

Transgender women experience disproportionately high rates of intimate partner violence (IPV), in addition to enduring a high burden of violence generally. The ways in which these experiences of IPV are normalized is important to understand as they may yield additional insight into the persistently high rates of violence among this population, in addition to specific ways IPV-related programming may be able to provide more effective, targeted services to survivors. In this study, we conducted secondary analysis of data from six focus groups, three with transgender women and three with health care and social service providers who work closely with transgender women, originally undertaken to understand transgender women’s experiences of IPV and the relationship between IPV and HIV risk. Based on these results, we offer a framework showing a longitudinal cascade of IPV in the relationship experiences of transgender women, beginning with formative experiences in early life, followed by specific experiences as transgender women enter intimate partner relationships, stay in relationships, and end (or re-enter) abusive relationships. This conceptual framework highlights the ways in which expectations of relationship violence are formed and bolstered throughout the lifespan. Further study is necessary to understand if and how intervention at specific points along this cascade, beginning in childhood, may be useful to address IPV among transgender women.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction…………………………………………………………………………1

Chapter 2: Literature Review…………………………………………………………………...4

           Violence experienced by transgender people……………………………………………..4

           Effects of violence on transgender people………………………………………………...5

           IPV experiences among transgender populations…………………………………………6

           Normalization of violence against transgender people……………………………………7

Chapter 3: Manuscript…………………………………………………………………………11

           Title Page………………………………………………………………………………...11

           Contribution of Student…………………………………………………………………..12

           Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………..13

           

           Introduction………………………………………………………………………………14

           

           Methods…………………………………………………………………………………..16

                      Study design……………………………………………………………………...16

                      Study setting and population……………………………………………………..16

                      Study protocol……………………………………………………………………17

                       Data analysis……………………………………………………………………..17

           

           Results……………………………………………………………………………………18

                       Formative experiences…………………………………………………………...27

                       Entering relationships……………………………………………………………30

                       Staying in relationships…………………………………………………………..30

                       Ending relationships……………………………………………………………...36

           

           Discussion………………………………………………………………………………..37

                      Normalization of violence………………………………………………………..38

                       Transgender women’s experiences in violent relationships……………………..40

                       Future points of intervention……………………………………………………..42

                       Limitations……………………………………………………………………….44

                       Conclusion……………………………………………………………………….45

           

Chapter 4: Conclusion and Recommendations……………………………………………..48

References……………………………………………………………………………………..51 

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Hubert Department of Global Health
Degree	M.P.H.
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health
Keyword	intimate partner violence normalization of violence transgender health
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Don Operario, Emory University

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