Perceptions of intimate partner violence among men and women in southern India: a qualitative study
AI Summary
Participants described emotional, verbal, physical and sexual intimate partner violence occurring within and outside marriage.
Drivers included women's lack of support, poverty, alcoholism and attitudes such as perceived disobedience and infidelity, with violence widely normalised.
Women often responded with silence to avoid escalation; some men expressed willingness to confront IPV, implying need to address hegemonic masculinity among adolescents.
BMJ Open. 2026 Jun 30;16(6):e113382. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-113382.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the perceptions of intimate partner violence (IPV) and its potential consequences among adults (both married and unmarried) and adolescents in peri-urban India.
DESIGN: A qualitative study design using thematic analysis was applied to 7 focus group discussions (FGDs) (n=56) and 33 in-depth interviews (IDIs) among adults (aged 19-48 years) and adolescents (aged 15-18 years). Interview guides for the FGDs and IDIs explored the perceptions of gender-based violence with a focus on IPV, risk factors and circumstances that justify IPV, triggers and consequences of IPV and prevention of IPV.
SETTING: This study was conducted in two peri-urban villages, namely Mugalur and Handenahalli, in Sarjapura Hobli, Anekal Taluk, Bangalore Urban District.
RESULTS: This study uncovered the types of IPV, the drivers of IPV and the responses to IPV at the interpersonal and community levels. The types of IPV that participants described were emotional, verbal, physical and sexual violence within and outside of marriage. The drivers of IPV included women’s lack of support, poverty, alcoholism and individual attitudes, such as perceived disobedience and infidelity. Violence was widely justified and normalised in communities as well. Women’s individual responses to violence included silence to avoid escalating the situation, whereas men stated their willingness to stand up against IPV at a community level.
CONCLUSIONS: Misogynistic attitudes in the community continue to prevail, and perceived stigma related to IPV is common, despite some men expressing motivation to confront IPV. Going forward, interventions must directly address the forms of hegemonic masculinity that normalise or legitimise violence, particularly among adolescents.
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